Driver Brett Beckwith and trainer Mark Beckwith have been sitting atop their respective standings at Saratoga Casino Hotel in recent weeks and the father-son combo teamed up for another pair of victories on Saturday, April 13, including one in the night's feature.
Little Willy came into Saturday’s Open Handicap Pace off a win last week on April 6 in which he won in the condition ranks. The six-year-old Up The Credit gelding drew post three for his try in the $20,548 featured event this weekend and wound up coming first-over on the race’s favourite, last week’s Open winner Heaven On High N (Larry Stalbaum). Little Willy took it to the favourite and wore him down after three-quarters in 1:23.4. Lanjo Lee (Jay Randall) followed the cover of Little Willy but came up a half-length shy of reeling him in in a mile clocked in 1:54.
Little Willy paid $13 to win and led an exacta with Lanjo Lee second that returned $58.50. Heaven On High N earned the show spot and rounded out a $150 trifecta.
Little Willy is owned by his trainer, Mark Beckwith, who had a pair of victories on the Saturday card as he and leading driver, son Brett, teamed up for a score with Youaremyrock later on the program. Brett Beckwith scored five wins on the night, a feat he has been accomplishing with regularity these days at the Spa.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that starts at noon.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)