Saratoga Springs, NY – Esa was a shining star for the Hallett Racing Stable on Sunday (May 7) at Saratoga Casino Hotel after winning the $17,000 Open Handicap Trot in 1:55.3, marking the 500th career victory of trainer John Hallett.

Esa takes the Open Trot at Saratoga on Sunday for Luke Hanners and trainer John Hallett. Jessica Hallett photo.

The seven-horse feature division was filled with a hefty set of competitors and Esa went to the gate at odds of 24-1, the longest shot on the board. As the gate said go, Winning Legends (Justin Huckabone), Xcuseme (John Stark), and Dewey Arnold (Jim Devaux) were the first in contention for the top spots on the rail. Esa and Luke Hanners followed in fourth as they passed the opening panel in :27.4. Hanners pulled the Hallett trainee early and they kept pressing on the outer flow through the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.4. Around the final turn, Esa was a head in front of Winning Legends. He continued to roll forward, winning by two lengths. Winning Legends was second and Delayed Hanover (Shawn Gray) got up for third. Esa paid $51.00 to win.

Esa is a seven-year-old son of E L Titan and the Andover Hall mare Christiana Hanover. Co-owned by Ronald Prohm and John Hallett, Esa has moved his seasonal record to 6-3-1 in 17 starts with $71,741 earned. It was his 23rd career win, totaling $275,753 in career earnings.

Saratoga Harness continues racing on Monday (May 8) with a first post at Noon.