Crockets Cullen N secured a ground-saving trip and capitalized to win the $14,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday (July 31).
Crockets Cullen N got away third in the six-horse field and stuck to the inside path as the leader Some Waratah A, a four-time winner of the local Open Pace this season, set the fractions in the feature. Hudson Phil sat the pocket to Some Waratah N and powered past that one late in the mile. All the while, the inside opened for Crockets Cullen N, who surged in the stretch before reeling in his rivals to record the first win of the season in the local Open for a horse who has made a home in the Saratoga winner’s circle over the last couple of years.
The classy veteran stopped the timer in 1:53, paying $11.40 to win in the mild upset. Hudson Phil was the runner-up to complete a $34.60 exacta while Some Waratah A finished third to round out a $149 triple. Stalbaum went back-to-back on Saturday as his American Zest A cruised to a decisive victory in 1:53.1 in a $10,500 conditional race for pacers.
Live racing resumes on Monday afternoon (Aug. 2) with a first post set for 12 p.m. (EDT).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)