On an evening that had several big upsets at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Uncle Jord A was a longshot winner in the feature on Saturday, Sept 2.
Alicia Gray trains Uncle Jord A, who went into the evening with three victories in the local Open to his credit in 2023 but only one of which came in the last four months. In Saturday’s installment of the $17,000 Open Pace, Uncle Jord A was the longest shot in the morning line while drawing post position six.
The race featured fast fractions of :27 and :56.2 in the first half and, as the favourites duked it out, a host of longshots began to close in. With six horses separated by only four lengths turning for home, the scramble in the stretch was on. When the dust settled, it was Uncle Jord A (Shawn Gray) who emerged with a 1:53.3 victory in a race in which he was dismissed at odds of 15-1. Talking Tom (Billy Dobson) closed to be second at 12-1 while 18-1 shot Pickup Man Hanover (Luke Hanners), last week’s Open winner, closed to earn the show spot.
Uncle Jord A paid $33.40 to win and led big exotics, which included a $309.50 exacta and a $4,100 triple.
Uncle Jord A’s victory was his fourth in the Open this year for owner Doug Overhiser of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The eight-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding now has 27 wins lifetime.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday evening at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)