Saratoga Springs, NY – Memorynimagination secured his first victory in the local Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel late last year. The Jimmy Nickerson-trained trotter won the feature in December before wrapping up his season with a third-place finish in the Open.
To begin his 2026 campaign, Memorynimagination finished third in each of his first two starts back before drawing post position five for Monday’s (Feb. 16) try in the $16,500 feature for high-steppers.
Changing tactics from his past closing tendencies, Memorynimagination flashed early speed on Monday and moved out to the front in a first quarter that went in :28 before reaching the half in :58 seconds.
Taking on a few challengers in the final half proved to be no problem for the 5-year-old gelding as the Nickerson trainee had plenty left in the stretch to hold off pocket-sitting Ordained (Larry Stalbaum) to score in 1:56.2. Ordained was the runner-up for the second time in his three local starts this season while Up Helly Aa (Chris Long) stayed sharp while finishing third.
Memorynimagination, an eight-time winner in ’25, paid $10.04 to win in his first score of ’26. Matt Athearn piloted the trotter to the Open victory for owner Joseph Trice of Hampden, ME
Live racing continues on Tuesday (Feb. 17) at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at noon.