Boli went from last to first to secure his first local victory in the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday afternoon (May 29).
The four-year-old son of Kadabra recently shipped north to Saratoga after enjoying a big couple of months at the Pompano Park this spring. The Dan Hennessey-trained trotter won five races in a row at Pompano before ending that streak with a second-place finish in last week’s Open Trot while making his local debut.
This week, Wally Hennessey sat patiently with the race’s 8-5 second choice before making his move in the final quarter. Slugfest, the 3-5 betting favourite in the feature, was first over and took over the lead at the head of the stretch before Boli trotted past to win in 1:54.4. The up-and-coming trotter equalled his lifetime mark and the win time was the fastest of the year for a trotter at the Spa...that was until it was bested the following race when Flyhawk Thriller cruised to victory in 1:54.2. Slugfest continued his sensational streak of hitting the board every week in the local Open as he was the runner-up on Sunday. Cashahallic (Austin Siegelman) earned the show spot.
Boli is owned by Paul and Patricia O'Neil of Saratoga Springs, New York.
Live racing continues on Monday afternoon with a Memorial Day matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga)