Saratoga Springs, NY — Brett Derue, who has topped the trainer standings at Saratoga Casino Hotel for the majority of the 2023 season, saw a pair of his trainees record big wins on Saturday night (Sept. 16) at the Spa.

Soul Assassin and driver Mitch Cushing sustained a first-over push into historic fractions to take the $16,050 Open Pace. Favorite Pickup Man Hanover clicked off a :25.4 first quarter, the fastest in the history of Saratoga Casino Hotel, before rolling past a half in :54. Soul Assassain, meanwhile, toughed it out overland before stopping the timer in 1:52.2 for his eighth win of the season. Century Endeavor, last week’s Open winner, closed to be second; Seventh Secret finished third.

Soul Assassin’s Open win provided trainer Brett Derue with half of his Saturday night double at Saratoga. Jessica Hallett photo.

Soul Assassin, a 4-year-old son of Malicious, paid $25.40 to win.

Derue also harnessed Addison Hanover, who recorded a 1:52.3 lifetime mark with Billy Dobson in the bike.

Live racing at Saratoga continues Sunday afternoon (Sept. 17); first post is 12 noon.