Th Kay C Crunch scored a second straight victory with an authoritative front-end effort in the $14,726 optional-claiming feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Tuesday, Mar. 3.
The gelding was third heading into the first turn from post one, but as Joey Joe (Aaron Byron) neared the lead, Matt Athearn sent Th Kay C Crunch to the top with a quick burst nearing the quarter in :28.4. The leader cruised over the surface labelled "good" through :59 and 1:28.2 fractions, and he resisted the rally of pocket-sitter Joey Joe by a half-length to win in 1:57.1. Blazin For Life (Justin Huckabone) completed the ticket.
Th Kay C Crunch has won two of four seasonal starts for trainer Jimmy Nickerson and owner Joseph Trice. The four-year-old son of Captain Crunch-Special Kay Deo is now five-for-30 lifetime. He returned $2.76 to his backers.
Trainer Andy Gardner doubled on the 10-race card, scoring wins with Beau Bear ($16.72) and Mass Cara ($6.16). The latter was driven by Brett Beckwith, who had a triple.
There will be a $5,317 carryover in the early 50-cent Pick Five on the next card at Saratoga on Saturday. First post time is set for noon.
(Standardbred Canada with files from Saratoga Raceway; photo of Th Kay C Crunch winning on Feb. 24)