Despite the rainy weather, Ahi Sunshine was still a shining star on the Saturday (March 2) evening card at Saratoga Casino Hotel, winning the $20,270 Winners Over/Open Handicap Pace from the pocket trip.
Matty Athearn and the Jackie Greene student left from the rail in the featured pace, settling into second behind Skyway Victor (Mitchell Cushing). Skyway Victor clicked out fractions in :28.1, :57 and 1:25 as Ahi Sunshine followed his path. Favoured Rocknroll Runa A (Larry Stalbaum) threw his name into the mix in the final turn and the trio battled down the stretch. With a :29 final panel, Ahi Sunshine sprinted to a 1-1/4-length victory in 1:54.1. Pacesetting Skyway Victor had to settle for second and Rocknroll Runa A took the show spot.
Janie Kellogg owns the four-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-Racey Miss. The victory was Ahi Sunshine's second in four starts this year and ninth in 33 career starts. He is a career earner of $155,978. As the 5-1 third choice in the feature, Ahi Sunshine returned a $12 ticket to win.
Saratoga Casino Hotel resumes racing on Sunday afternoon with a first post of 12 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)