Saratoga Springs, NY — Franco Tristan N (McArdle) prevailed in his local debut last month at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Amanda Kelley-trained pacer was the 1-9 favorite after drawing the rail in that start in a conditioned race. Following a third place finish last week, Franco Tristan N moved up into the Open Pace on Saturday night (March 14).

Franco Tristan N was a 1:54.1 winner. Cheyanne Mandy photo.

Billy Dobson sat behind the 8-year-old New Zealand invader in the $15,000 event as they sat the pocket to the track’s defending Pacer of the Year Crockets Cullen N (Larry Stalbaum). Crockets Cullen N had a ten-race local win streak in the Open snapped two weeks ago and didn’t factor in last weekend’s installment of the Open. Still, the 9-year-old was the race’s 3-5 betting favorite on Saturday in a five-horse field.

Franco Tristan N got the perfect trip, riding the coattails of the favorite in a first half that went in just :57.3. The Kelley trainee flew up the inside in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:54.1 to record his first Open win. Betterlatethnnever (Jay Randall) came on to finish second for the second straight week in the Open while Crockets Cullen N had to settle for third.

Franco Tristan N paid $8.00 to win and led an exacta that returned $39.20.

Franco Tristan N is owned by the Scheigert Racing Stable.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee kicking off at noon.