by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — J A T O (Big Apple Deli) extended his winning streak to 16 on Sunday afternoon (March 6) at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

J A T O extended his winning streak to 16 on Sunday afternoon.

The Howard Okusko-trained trotter made his local debut in the $15,000 Open Trot and despite getting away towards the back of the pack wound up getting a second over journey in the year’s first trotting feature at the Spa.

J A T O cruised past rival Zooming (Billy Dobson) in the final furlong before drawing out to win in 2:02 in the 1-1/16th mile Open after covering the mile in 1:54.3.

J A T O went 16 for 17 in the win column in 2015 and continued his winning ways on an afternoon that featured a t-shirt giveaway commemorating the 75th anniversary of racing at Saratoga. Zooming finished second behind the 6-1 Open victor while Slugfest (Jay Randall) finished third in his seasonal debut.

Stephane Bouchard, who piloted the longshot winner of Saturday night’s Open Pace, was the winning driver behind J A T O on Sunday.

Live racing resumes on Thursday at Saratoga with a 4 p.m. first post.