Saratoga Springs, NY – Spaaaanzano reached a few milestones on the Monday afternoon (Aug. 10) card at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Jackie Greene trainee won the local Open Trot for the second time this season after going coast-to-coast in 1:55.1 in the $18,000 feature. Making his debut out of the Greene Stable this year, Spaaaanzano has split his time between Saratoga and Plainridge in recent months, and after getting a no-chance trip in his return start to town on July 27, the 5-year-old drew post 4 for his Monday try in the Open.
Driver Jimmy Devaux wasted little time with the race’s 4-5 favorite, moving him out to the early lead where they traveled unopposed in a first lap that went in :58. Major danger Platinum As (driven by Chris Long) got the pocket trip behind the favorite and rode the leader’s coattails throughout three-quarters that went in 1:27, but saw his late bid turned away by Spaaaanzano.
Platinum As settled for second-best, beaten by one length, while last week’s Open winner, Mocha Java (Jay Randall), came on for third.
For Spaaaanzano, it was win No. 20 in his career and the earnings from Monday’s score put the son of Coraggioso’s lifetime bankroll over the $800,000 mark. Spaaaanzano is owned by Kellogg Racing Stables.
The win was one of four on the day for Devaux, who currently sits second in the driver standings behind Kyle Swift in what could amount to a battle for the driving title worth keeping an eye on over the course of the final months of the racing season.
Live racing returns on Tuesday (Aug. 11) with a matinee scheduled to kick off at noon.