Brett Derue continued his personal-best season at Saratoga Casino Hotel with a four-win night on Sunday, July 23.
Love Yourself concluded the big night for Derue when he outclosed his rivals in a $10,700 claiming pace to complete a natural hat trick (three consecutive winners on the card) while recording win number four on the evening for his trainer. Wally Hennessey piloted Love Yourself to the victory when the eight-year-old shifted gears late in the mile to swoop the group. Love Yourself paid $13.80 in the mild upset.
His owners, Derue, Steve Picarazzi and Darreyl Bullard, also watched their Hot Joe and driver Brett Beckwith score a first-over victory on Sunday while their Okie From Muskogee went coast-to-coast with Shawn Gray in the sulky.
Picarazzi and Derue teamed with Hennessey once again for a win when their American Tour N held on to secure her seventh victory of the season.
Derue surged back in a small lead in the training standings with his Sunday grand slam.
Live harness racing resumes on Friday evening (July 28) with action starting at 6:45 p.m. (EDT). There will be a Pick-5 carryover of $4,220 in the early Pick 5, which starts in Friday’s first race.
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)