Talking Tom won the Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel for the first time in his career on Saturday night (Sept. 10), doing so in upset fashion.
The Perry Simser-trained pacer drew the pylons just one week removed from a strong-closing third-place finish in the $16,000 feature. Driver Chris Long powered from the pegs on Saturday with Talking Tom, who was dismissed at odds of 12-1. As the five-year-old son of Artspeak approached the half, rival Velocity Smoke came powering to his outside and cleared in a half that went in :57.1. Talking Tom then rode the leader’s coattails as the pacesetter was confronted by the race’s 2-5 favourite Moonshine Kisses. Velocity Smoke was holding firm until mid-stretch when his two rivals got the better of him. Talking Tom charged hard in the passing lane as Moonshine Kisses gave one last surge towards the wire, but it was the Simser trainee who emerged victorious in a mile clocked in 1:53, a lifetime best.
Moonshine Kisses finished second to complete a $55 exacta while Velocity Smoke earned the show spot and rounded out a $194 triple. Talking Tom, who moved over the $100,000 mark in career earnings with the win, is owned by his trainer Perry Simser in partnership with Dennis Nye of Saratoga Springs.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 11) at Saratoga with eight New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Finals each going for a purse of $50,000. First post time is set for 12 p.m. (EDT).
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)