by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel
Saratoga Springs, NY — On Saturday night (April 7), Deetzy (Jereme’s Jet) did what no other horse has been able to do at Saratoga Casino Hotel since February and that is defeat Artful Way.
Melissa Simser-Iovino photo
Deetzy stopped the timer in 1:52.2 as he scored at odds of 6-1.
The track’s defending Horse of the Year, Artful Way had prevailed in three consecutive Saturday night features but was assigned post eight in this week’s installment of the $12,000 Open for pacers. Deetzy had post three as he stepped back up into the feature following back-to-back wins in conditioned races.
Phil Fluet picked up the catch drive behind Deetzy and moved the Jim Nickerson trainee out to the early lead. After a relatively comfortable first half in :56.4, Deetzy paced up a storm heading to three-quarters and opened up a lead that would prove to be insurmountable.
The 6-year-old stopped the timer in 1:52.2 as he scored at odds of 6-1. Poisonous (Mark Beckwith) was the Open’s runner-up for the second consecutive week while JK Panache (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot. The even money favorite Artful Way was a non-factor on Saturday as the trip got the best of the superstar pacer.
Deetzy, who paid $15.40 to win, led an exacta and triple that paid $54 and $301, respectively.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a 12:15 p.m. first post.