Saratoga Springs, NY — In Friday’s (July 29) $16,000 Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Angel Nation was tasked with besting a pair of trotters who have been on a tear of late, and he delivered with a 1:55 score — but not without giving his connections some nervous moments at the end of the mile.

The Melissa Beckwith trainee started from post four in a seven-horse field that included Reign Of Honor (Shawn Gray), who had won six of his previous eight starts, and Joxter (Dan Daley), who had hit the board in all 10 starts to begin his season. Angel Nation and driver Brett Beckwith got the jump on their major dangers and cut the mile, although 3-2 favorite Joxter advanced to the leader’s flank through a :56.2 first half while long shot Oh So Pine (Larry Stalbaum) sat the pocket. Despite facing sustained pressure, Angel Nation drew clear in the stretch and opened up by a couple lengths — but made a break under the shadow of the wire. The 5-year-old Archangel gelding survived an inquiry and stood as the winner. Joxter toughed it out to finish second over Oh So Pine and the late-rallying Reign Of Honor in a three-horse photo for the minors.

Angel Nation, who is owned by Bill Hartt, paid $8.20 to win.

Live racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel continues on Saturday evening (July 30) with a first post time set for 6:45 p.m.