Saratoga Springs, NY — Primo Uomo made every pole a winning one en route to a 15-1 upset in Saturday’s (March 21) $16,500 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Primo Uomo and driver Jim Devaux came off the gate aggressively from post 2 to cut the mile. After powering through a first quarter in :27.2, Primo Uomo backed the half down to :57.2 before being confronted by 1-9 favorite Blazing Home N (driven by Larry Stalbaum), a two-time Open winner this season. Up the backstretch, Blazing Home N charged alongside the leader, and those two squared off after passing three-quarters in 1:26. Primo Uomo didn’t want to give an inch, and the 6-year-old son of Heston Blue Chip withstood the pressure from the big favorite for a narrow 1:55.2 win.
Warrior For Truth (Jacob Cutting) rallied for third.
Dave Dewhurst trains Primo Uomo for Chris and Dale Lawton. The feature win was one of four on the program for Devaux.
Live racing at Saratoga continues Sunday (March 22) with a $3,804 carryover in the Pick-5 (races 1-5) and a $2,191 carryover in the Pick-4 (races 2-5). First post time is noon.