by Shelley Blake, for Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — The last time Gimmebackmybullets raced at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway he not only dominated the field of Open pacers, he did so in blazing fashion by matching the all-time track record of 1:51. It was no surprise then that the 4-year-old went off as the heavy favorite in Saturday night’s (July 21) featured $15,000 Open at the Spa.

Driver Denis St. Pierre sent Gimmebackmybullets to the lead from post six past Alpine Dandy and Brian Allen, who were content with a pocket-trip behind the favorites thru a :26.3 opening quarter. Fenman and Dan Cappello, Jr. sat behind the top two and that’s how they remained to a :56 half before Cappello pulled his charge to take on the leaders. But by the 1:24.1 three-quarter pole, Fenman got no closer than St. Pierre’s wheel before he began to fade.

By the top of the stretch, it appeared Gimmebackmybullets was once again an easy winner. But Allen and Alpine Dandy, close in the pocket behind the leader throughout, snuck up the passing lane to pull off the upset, winning in 1:52 by a half-length over the favorite. Tricky Kid and Brian Cross finished third.

Owned by Alpine Meadow Racing, Alpine Dandy has a win and a third place finish in only five starts this year.

Racing resumes on Wednesday, July 25, at Saratoga. Post time is 7:00 p.m.