Pestcontrol, following a decisive victory last week, stepped up in company to contest the featured $14,726 optional-claiming pace for colts and geldings on Tuesday, March 24 at Saratoga Raceway and romped in a major upset.
Dismissed at odds of 42-1, Pestcontrol left to sit the pocket to Im A Papi Hanover (Matt Athearn), who powered out early to overcome his outside post and cut the mile. Leon Bailey sat in the two-hole with Pestcontrol until he tugged on the right line as they reached the backstretch for the final time. When he did, Pestcontrol rolled past Im A Papi Hanover and powered away from the competition to a 1:56.2 victory by 3-1/4 lengths. Im A Papi Hanover held second over Gibby (Kyle Swift).
Pestcontrol, a five-year-old son of Schoolkids-Furious Five, is now nine-for-54 lifetime. Amanda Bailey trains the gelding for Adam Friedland of Brooklyn, N.Y. The win payout was $87.78.
The score with Pestcontrol was the second on the card for the team of Leon and Amanda Bailey and Friedland, who also won with Star Pilot ($4.90) earlier in a low-level conditioned trot. Leon Bailey piloted four winners in total on the 11-race program.
Live racing resumes at Saratoga on Saturday with a matinee that begins at noon.
(With files from Saratoga Raceway)