Belmont Royale N won the $25,714 local Open Pace for the second time this season when on Monday (July 6), the Melissa Beckwith trainee parlayed a pocket ride to victory.
Aaron Byron drove Belmont Royale N was got the two-hole trip in a race that saw a first half go in :55.4. Byron pulled the pocket with Belmont Royale N as the nine-year-old took on the leader as fellow co-favourite Prairie Rocknroll (Billy Dobson) made progress from the back of the pack. The co-9-5 shots swallowed up the leader turning for home before squaring off in the stretch in a battle that resulted in a 1:52.2 victory for Belmont Royale N who checked in as a winner by three parts of a length. Prairie Rocknroll wound up second-best while Ahi Sunshine (Jimmy Devaux) came from last to finish third in the feature.
Belmont Royale N is owned in partnership by his trainer Melissa Beckwith of Wilton, NY, and Bill O’Donnell of Guelph, Ont. It was the third win this season for the gelded son of Betterthancheddar-Royal Spin, and 33rd career victory.
Live racing continues on Tuesday (July 7) at Saratoga with a first post time set for 12 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Raceway)