Starznheaven, Saratoga Casino Hotel’s Two-Year-Old Pacer of the Year in 2014, still enjoys success at the Spa, having blossomed into a formidable Open pacer. After moving to the Jim Nickerson stable last month, the six-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven has simply become a monster.
With wins against top-flight competition at Plainridge, Tioga and Scarborough in recent weeks, Starznheaven was riding a five-race win streak when he started from post 4 in Saturday’s (July 14) $14,500 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel. With fractions of :26.4 and :55.2 being set in the first half, Starznheaven moved first-over approaching the half and powered past the leader heading to three-quarters. Jimmy Devaux stayed after the rejuvenated pacer who dug in late, even when confronted by major danger Somewhere Fancy (Billy Dobson). Starznheaven toughed it out to prevail in 1:51.1 and record his sixth consecutive victory. Somewhere Fancy was the runner-up while Somewhere In L A (Mark Beckwith) came from last to finish third.
Starznheaven pulled off the upset while dismissed at odds of 8-1. Paying $19.60 to win, Starznheaven started an exacta and triple that returned $58 and $223.50, respectively. The Open score was one of five winners on the night for reinsman Jimmy Devaux.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon (July 15) with a matinee starting at 12:15 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)