With no Open Pace on the Saturday (Aug. 12) evening card at Saratoga Casino Hotel, the $14,500 Winners Over was the feature. The race featured an open draw and no clear-cut favourite.
Isaac, a five-year-old son of American Ideal, drew the rail and driver Shawn Gray was aggressive with him. After relinquishing the lead in the early going, he wasted little time in retaking the top spot in a first quarter that went in :27. After rattling off a half in :55.1, Isaac was tested through the second lap before prevailing by a length. The fourth win of the season for the Alicia Gray-trained Isaac came in 1:53. Longshot Six Degrees (Jimmy Devaux) closed from the back of the pack to finish second and complete a $70 exacta while Black Hawk Joe A (Matt Athearn) closed to be third.
Isaac, who paid $6.40 to win, is owned by Amy Cable of Vernon Center, New York.
The Grays secured a double on Saturday when their Battlefield (sired by Sweet Lou) prevailed for the second straight week in a $9,500 event for young pacers. The three-year-old Battlefield was heavily backed at odds of 1-9 in his 1:55.1 victory, which was his fifth in six local starts. Battlefield is owned by Doug Overhiser of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Live racing continues on Sunday (Aug. 13) evening at Saratoga with a first post time of 6:45 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)