by Shelley Blake, for Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — It was a banner night for John Stark, Jr. and Barnik Racing Stable as the trainer/owner combo swept both divisions of the Open Trot on Friday night (August 31) at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

In the opening division, driver Nick Andreoli of the Barnik Racing Stable sent Bit O Victory to the lead from his post position on the rail and the field settled into post position order behind the leader to an opening quarter of :29.

Owner Andreoli and his charge led the Open trotters thru a :59.3 half and a 1:28.3 three-quarter split before heading into the homestretch. Clearaway and Jay Randall posed the greatest threat to Bit O Victory with their pocket trip behind the leader, but the real challenge came from holding off favorites Bama Bound and Denis St. Pierre as that duo charged down the stretch, coming up a nose short in 1:57.4. Clearaway was a half-length behind in third.

In 16 starts this year, the Stark-trained Bit O Victory posts a 3-3-3 record.

In the second division of the Open, trainer-driver Stark steered the Barnik Racing Stable’s Splendid Les to a gate-to-wire victory in 1:57.1.

Thursday night (August 30) at the Spa was Brian Allen Night as the trainer-driver sat behind five winners, including Fillies and Mares Open champion Dandy’s Jewel. Trained by Allen and owned by Alpine Meadow Racing, Inc., it marked the 4-year-old’s eighth win this season and her second consecutive win in the Distaff Open.

Racing resumes on Saturday night (September 1) at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway. Featured on the 12-race card is the $15,000 Open Pace as well as three divisions of the New York Sires Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts. Each division boasts a purse of over $100,000. Post time is 7:00 p.m.