Skyway Victor scored a 1:53 victory in the $15,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday (March 5).
The son of Tellitlikeitis has been impressive for his new connections in the early stages of the 2022 campaign at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Acquired this offseason by owners Mark Eaton and Robert Griffin, Skyway Victor won his "Spa" debut when he went coast-to-coast in 1:55 to prevail in a $13,000 Winners Over for pacers on Feb. 19. After not factoring while starting from post 8 in his first try in the Open, Skyway Victor drew post 6 for Saturday’s start in the featured class.
Driver Jay Randall found early speed from the four-year-old pacer who got to the first quarter in :28 before reaching the half in :57. The favourite, Belmont Major N, was making his local debut and he stormed up to challenge the leader approaching the three-quarter pole, but Skyway Victor would not be denied. The Eaton trainee dug in and finished in a :27.3 final quarter in progress to victory in 1:53, the fastest mile of the season for any horse at the Spa thus far. Belmont Major N was the runner-up in his first local try while Crockets Cullen N earned the show spot. The winner paid $6.90 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $14 and $49.20, respectively.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon (March 6) at Saratoga with a matinee that kicks off at 12 p.m. (EST).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)