Saratoga Casino Hotel will host its premier racing event of the season, the 15th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace, on Saturday, July 20. Some of North America’s top pacers, trainers and drivers will be vying for a purse of $250,000 USD in the Grand Circuit event.
This year’s Gerrity Pace has a full field of eight, including back-to-back MGM Borgata Pacing Series winner and Camluck Classic champion Hellabalou, from the stable of North America’s leading trainer, Ron Burke. Canadian-owned Desperate Man, former Horse of the Year and winner of four Borgata legs this year and a pair of recent Invitationals at Yonkers Raceway, is one of two contenders from the Travis Alexander stable, along with Pleaseletmeknow. Local favourite Rocknroll Runa A will be in solid contention for trainer/driver Larry Stalbaum.
“This year’s Gerrity had a very interesting post draw, which should have a big impact on the outcome,” said Race Secretary Peter Iovino. “We expect our fans will be treated to an exciting and competitive race with action throughout.”
The evening will also feature six New York Sire Stakes races for two-year-old pacing colts. Overall purses for the night exceed half a million dollars.
Post time for the first race on Saturday is 5 p.m. Parking and admission are free. SaratogaBets horseplayers that visit Saratoga Casino Hotel on Gerrity Night (and every Saturday throughout 2024) will have the opportunity to earn an additional 15 per cent bonus on all winning Saratoga Harness wagers placed through a self-service terminal.
The field for the Gerrity is listed below.
$250,000 USD Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Backstreet Shadow - Tyler Buter - Daniel Renaud
2. Coaches Corner - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
3. Pleaseletmeknow - Mark MacDonald - Travis Alexander
4. Rocknroll Runa A - Larry Stalbaum - Larry Stalbaum
5. Ervin Hanover - Tyler Buter - Jeff Cullipher
6. Ken Hanover - Tyler Buter - Roland Mallar
7. Hellabalou - Joe Bongiorno - Ron Burke
8. Desperate Man - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)