Lucid Thoughts has been a picture of consistency this season. The nine-year-old trotter hit the board in 12 of his 15 starts this season heading into his try in the $14,500 Open Trot on Sunday afternoon (June 18) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Shawn Gray piloted the John MacDonald trainee and got away in the two-hole behind Cincinnati Miss (Frank Coppola Jr.), who won the Open just two weeks ago. Cincinnati Miss carved out the fractions and, after checking in at three-quarters in 1:26, extended her lead around the final turn. Longshot Lucid Thoughts then gathered a head of steam and came charging hard in the stretch. The veteran high-stepper reeled in Cincinnati Miss in the final strides before stopping the timer in 1:55.1, a time that matched the effort from trotting mare Charmed Life on April 23 as the fastest of the season for a trotter at Saratoga. Cincinnati Miss was the runner-up while the favoured Boli (Wally Hennessey) was late on the scene to earn the show spot.
Lucid Thoughts paid a hefty $33.40 to win in the upset while the exacta and triple came back $178 and $310, respectively.
The Cash Hall gelding is owned by J P Stables of Winchester, Ont.
Live racing resumes on Thursday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)