Saratoga Springs, NY – Aaron Byron piloted four winners on the Tuesday (June 23) card at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The 41-year-old Byron became a local regular last season and has been a force in the sulky.
On Tuesday, Byron guided Numero Dix (Muscle Mass) to victory in the $17,000 “Pop-Up Final.” Jared Bothwell owns and trains the 4-year-old trotter who came in off a win and a pair of seconds in his previous three starts.
One of a trio of 5-2 shots in the race, Numero Dix moved aggressively to the lead and through the first quarter in :28.4 and a first half of :59.1 before being met with the challenge of co-favorite Gold Dealer (Wally Hennessey) in the stretch and holding him off to score by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-best 1:58.1.
Byron piloted a trio of winners for trainer Melissa Beckwith on the card as Poppa Joe prevailed early on the matinee program while local first-timers Starfish and Twin B Cabo each scored victories in their Spa debuts. Byron sits among the top five in the driver standings this season.
Live racing resumes on Saturday (June 27) with a matinee that begins at noon.