Alluneedisfaith N was victorious in the $20,548 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday, June 1 at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Alluneedisfaith N returned to the stable of Alicia Gray in late April following a $34,247 claim at Saratoga. The 10-year-old New Zealand import is a former Open Pace winner at the Spa and, following the claim, returned to the track’s top pacing class.
After difficult post draws in his first two return trips to the Open, Alluneedisfaith N drew the rail on Saturday night for his shot in the feature. Driver Shawn Gray wanted the lead with the veteran pacer and secured it by navigating through a first half that went in :56.3. As the race’s favourite, Heaven On High N (Larry Stalbaum), turned up the pressure on the leader in a third quarter that went in :27.3, Alluneedisfaith N held firm and he dispatched the favourite before cruising home for his 40th career win in 1:52.1. Soul Assassin (Billy Dobson) sat the pocket to the winner and finished second while Heaven On High N earned the show spot.
Alluneedisfaith N paid $8 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $48.40 and $146.50.
The winning Art Major gelding is owned in partnership by his trainer, Alicia Gray, and Doug Overhiser.
The Gray tandem had a double on the Saturday card as they teamed up for an upset with Carrythetorchman, who scored at odds of 21-1 in a $12,329 race for claiming pacers.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)