Off a pocket ride Deetzy bolted to a 1:52.2 victory in the $14,500 Open Pace on Saturday, June 30 at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Jim Nickerson trainee left alertly and yielded to the race’s odds-on favourite, Artful Way, to get the pocket ride. Artful Way made the lead, going to the half in :56.3. Deetzy patrolled the pocket before swinging out at the head of the stretch and managed to edge past Artful Way to claim victory. Ideal Rocky closed sharply to be second while Artful Way had to settle for third.
Jimmy Devaux piloted Deetzy to his third victory of the year in the local Open and fifth win on the season overall. He paid $20.20 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $143 and $509, respectively.
Live racing has been canceled for Sunday, July 1 due to extreme heat and heat index forecasts.
Racing will resume on Tuesday, July 3 with the Independence Day spectacular with a 5:00 p.m. first post and fireworks at the conclusion of the race card. There will be food trucks, live music, contests and giveaways as well as a $7,777 guarantee in the Pick Five pool.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)