Saratoga Springs, NY — Six trotters made up the $17,000 Winners Over/Open Handicap Trot on Sunday (June 18) afternoon at Saratoga Casino Hotel and Angel Nation came out on top.

Angel Nation stuck his head out to win in 1:55. Jessica Hallett photo.

Brett Beckwith was in the bike for the bettors’ choice as they took position on the far outside. Every horse fought for the early lead, but The Royal Poze (Wally Hennessey) secured the rail real estate. By The Book (Jim Devaux) was locked on the outside and Angel Nation was at his heels as they passed the opening panel in :27.3.

By The Book cleared the front and Angel Nation took over from him as they approached the half in :56.4. Angel Nation kept on rolling through the three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Down the stretch, By The Book challenged the Melissa Beckwith trainee and it came down to the wire between the two top choice trotters. Angel Nation stuck his head out to win in 1:55. Bluffinner (Jordan Derue) took third.

William Hartt owns the son of Archangel and the Deweycheatumnhowe mare Seawind Pascale. The 6-year-old gelding moved his seasonal record to 7-4-4 and $113,990 in earnings. In his career, Angel Nation has had 25 wins to go along with $390,474 in earnings.

In the $14,500 Winners Over Trot, Esa (Hennessey) rode the pocket trip behind Majestic Fire (Luke Hanners) through the quarter in :27.2 and half in :57.2. Hennessey tipped the John Hallett trainee out of the pocket before the three-quarters in 1:26.2 and the pair took off down the stretch to a one length victory in 1:56.2. Makadushin N Cheez (Jim Devaux) was second and Powerscourt (Michael McGivern) finished fourth, but was placed third.

Esa, the son of E L Titan and the Andover Hall mare Christiana Hanover, is owned by John Hallett and Ronald Prohm. The 7-year-old horse has $90,381 and eight wins this season. In his career, Esa has 25 wins and $294,393 in earnings.

Racing resumes at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday (June 19) with a first post of Noon.