Last season, Twisted Pretzel was named Trotter of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel after winning thirteen times at ‘the Spa’ with six of his victories coming in the Open Trot. Although 2018 hasn’t been as strong as ‘17 was thus far for Twisted Pretzel, the veteran trotter did come into Sunday’s feature as a three-time winner this season with one victory in the $14,500 Open.
On Sunday (June 10), Twisted Pretzel, by Crazed, drew the rail and went off at odds of 7-2 with Mark Beckwith in the sulky.
The eight-year-old Spa regular took advantage of the inside post in the feature and cruised out to the early lead.
After setting fractions in the first lap of :27.3 and :57.1, Twisted Pretzel didn’t face his first test until the three-quarters mark, when longshot Mugshots Bro (driven by Frank Coppola Jr.) rolled up first-over to challenge for the lead. The duo battled throughout the final quarter before Twisted Pretzel drew off late to win in 1:55.2, which was a seasonal-best win time for the track’s defending top trotter.
Twisted Pretzel, pictured victorious at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday, June 10, 2018 (Melissa Simser-Iovino)
Mugshots Bro, who won his first career Open two weeks ago, was the runner-up on Sunday, while the favoured Tropical Storm Bi (Phil Fluet) earned the show spot.
Twisted Pretzel paid $9.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $68 and $179.50, respectively, in the six-horse Open.
Live racing will resume on Thursday afternoon at Saratoga with first-race post time at 12:15 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)