by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga, NY — Tropical Storm Bi (Yankee Glide) parlayed his pocket ride to victory in Sunday’s (June 24) Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The Tony Ciuffetelli trainee drew the rail in the $14,500 feature and driver Phil Fluet set up shop in the pocket behind the race’s favorite Uva Hanover (Billy Dobson). Uva Hanover set comfortable fractions on the lead as a rain began to fall in Saratoga. First over threat Crazycat (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) couldn’t get by the front-running favorite but Tropical Storm Bi could.

Once he got into the passing lane, Tropical Storm Bi surged by before drawing off to prevail in 1:57 for his second Open win of the season. The six year old gelding paid $7.70 to win. Last week’s Open winner Crazycat was the runner-up on Sunday. Uva Hanover finished third while a beaten favorite for the second consecutive week.

Tropical Storm Bi owns the fastest time of the year for any trotter at Saratoga as he scored in a dazzling 1:54.3 on a Sunday afternoon in May and has since established himself as a force in the local Open.

Live racing resumes on Thursday afternoon at Saratoga with a first post time set for 12:15 p.m.