Just Make Believe scored his second Open Trot victory in the last three weeks as the six-year-old son of Kadabra went coast to coast in Sunday’s $15,000 feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Jimmy Devaux piloted the John DiStefano trainee in the 1-1/16 mile Open and moved him out to the lead after an opening quarter of :27.1. Just Make Believe got a bit of a breather in the middle half, but braced for the late surge from the race’s favourite Boli, who came charging hard in the final quarter. Boli’s move was too little too late as he ended up second-best to Just Make Believe, who covered the 1 1/16 miles in 2:02.4. Boli was the runner-up for the second consecutive time while Stirling Cadet (Frank Coppola Jr.) earned the show spot.
Just Make Believe, who returned $7.40 to win on Sunday, scored for the fifth time in his last seven starts.
He is owned by Linda Kenney and the Di Stefano And Son Stable.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)