Saratoga Springs. NY — Hudson Phil (Shanghai Phil) made his return to the Saratoga Casino Hotel winner’s circle on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 25), an area he has been very familiar with over the course of the last few years.

Hudson Phil was a 1:53.2 winner. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

The Jackie Greene-trained 5-year-old rattled off eight Open Pace victories in 2019, the second most of any horse at the Spa last season. Recently, Hudson Phil has spent much of his time competing out of town but the standout pacer raced in Tuesday’s $8,500 Open at Saratoga and went off at odds of 5-2.

Fresh off a stint at Yonkers and The Meadowlands, Hudson Phil flashed early speed on Tuesday with driver Shawn Gray, finding an early spot in a first quarter that went in :26.2. Hudson Phil wasn’t on the inside very long as he moved first-over on the leader after a :55.4 half. Working hard on the outside in a :28 third quarter, Hudson Phil took the lead turning for home and narrowly held off the stretch threat from Funknwaffles (Billy Dobson) who came up just inches shy at the wire. Crockets Cullen N (Larry Stalbaum) followed the cover of Hudson Phil before finishing third in the mile clocked in 1:53.2.

The win was third of the season for Hudson Phil and just the second in the local Open Pace. He paid $7.70 to win and led an exacta with Funknwaffles second that returned $23.20. The triple with Crockets Cullen N third paid $49.80.

Hudson Phil is owned by the Kellogg Racing Stables.

Live racing continues on Wednesday evening at Saratoga with a first post time of 7:15 p.m. New York Sire Stakes action is featured with 3-year-old trotting fillies taking center stage highlighted by a $156,600 race for the ladies.