Saratoga Springs, NY – Mocha Java (Creatine) has become a presence this month in the Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Rob Harmon trainee prevailed in his debut in the featured race for trotters at the start of August. The 6-year-old gelding followed up his first local score with third and second-place finishes in the $18,000 Open Trot before heading into Monday’s (Aug. 24) try as the race’s 6-5 betting favorite.
Driver Jay Randall has piloted Mocha Java in each of his local starts and on Monday moved the favorite to early lead in a :27.3 first quarter. The favorite carved out a half in :57.1 and appeared comfortable through three quarters in 1:26 before being tested in the stretch by pocket-sitter But Why (Jimmy Devaux).
Mocha Java proved up to the task on in the feature stopping the timer in 1:55.3 for his second victory in the local Open and his seventh win on the season. But Why was the runner-up while Spaaaazano (Kyle Swift) earned the show spot for the second consecutive week in the Open.
Mocha Java served as the first half of a Monday double for Harmon and Randall who teamed up for a victory with young trotter Sunburnt Silverado who recorded his second win in as many tries at Saratoga on the year.
Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 25) a matinee that begins at noon. There will be a Pick-5 carryover of $2,986 beginning in race one and a Pick-4 carryover of $1,564 starting in the afternoon’s second race.