Gruden overcame his assigned spot from post 8 to snag back-to-back victories in the $14,000 Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday (April 19).
Aided by the break of two rivals, Gruden advanced to sixth in the early going. And with fast fractions set, things were shaping well for the race’s 2-1 second-choice in the wagering. Gruden picked up the cover of Stone In Love, who was the runner-up to Gruden in last week’s Open. That tandem surged past the weary leader around the final turn but in the stretch Gruden proved to be too much for his rivals. The trotting eight-year-old stopped the timer in 1:57.3 to record his third consecutive win in the Open Trot, becoming the first trotter in almost two years to achieve that feat.
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Stone In Love continued to be the bridesmaid as she has finished second in five of her last six starts while racing very well for trainer-driver Brian Cross. Longshot Lifetime Credit rounded the triple.
The exacta and triple in the feature paid $41 and $326, respectively.
Gruden’s owner, trainer and driver teamed for a double for the third-straight Monday afternoon as Lazzaro completed the double for owner Rick Dobson of Michigan, trainer Monica Krist and reinsman Billy Dobson. Lazzaro has now won four consecutive races and has the look of a future Open trotter in his own right.
Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon (April 20) at Saratoga with a matinee beginning at 12 p.m. (EDT).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)