by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — Sunday afternoon featured the first leg of the Jim Derue Memorial Trotting Series at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The series for young trotters had three divisions, each going for a purse of $7,500.

Dave Oxford photo

Jimmer was a 1:59.3 winner on Sunday at Saratoga.

Jimmer (Equinox Bi) was the fastest and most impressive winner of the first leg of the Derue Series. Chris Long piloted Jimmer to a victory while overcoming a difficult first over journey. The 4-year-old trotter’s fifth win of the season came in 1:59.3, two seconds faster than either of the other two leg one winners.

Jelectric (Stephane Bouchard) came on late to win in 2:01.4 while Quick Justice (Jay Randall) benefited from a breaking rival in the stretch before stopping the clock in 2:01.3 to score in the other division.

Leg two of the series is scheduled for next Sunday.

Live racing resumes at Saratoga on Wednesday with a first post time of 6:45 p.m.