Saratoga Springs, NY – Esa demonstrated a top performance in the $17,000 Open Handicap at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday (May 21) afternoon.

Esa wire-to-wire in Saratoga Open Trot for Luke Hanners. Hallett photo.

Hanners and Esa rocketed out of the gate from post four in their field of seven. The pair were the first to the top and never looked back, posting fractions of :27.4, :57.3, and 1:25.4. Down the stretch, Pay Me To Knight (Douglas Maura) flew up the passing lane in an attempt to catch the leader, but Esa accelerated. The seven-year-old son of E L Titan won by two lengths in 1:55.1. Pay Me To Knight was second and Gigfy (Alek Chartrand) finished third.

John Hallett trains Esa for his 24th career win, adjusting his seasonal record to 7-3-1 in 19 starts. Owned by Hallett and Ronald Prohm, Esa is just $277 shy of $300,000 in career earnings.

Also on the matinee card, Larry Stalbaum posted a training triple with Inquiring Mind (Billy Dobson), Malibu Kid (Larry Stalbaum), and Doo Wop Kid (Matthew Athearn).

Racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel continues Monday (May 22) with a first race post time of 12 p.m.