Saratoga Springs, NY — Mr Cool Seaeyre N (The Pres) has had a great year under the guidance of trainer Brett Derue at Saratoga Casino Hotel. On Monday afternoon (April 3), the 11-year-old scored maybe the biggest win of his career when he went coast-to-coast in the $31,500 Step Up To The Plate Claiming Series final for trotters.

Brett Beckwith piloted Mr Cool Seaeyre N to each of his three victories in 2023 heading into Monday including a leg two score which came in 1:57.

Mr Cool Seaeyre N stopped the timer in 1:58 for the series win. Jessica Hallett photo.

On Monday, the young reinsman powered the New Zealand-bred high-stepper out to the early lead and never looked back. Shadowed every step of the way by the race’s favorite Life Well Lived (Phil Fluet), Mr Cool Seaeyre N cruised unopposed through a first half in :58 and encountered just a brief bid from the favorite in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:58 for the series win. Life Well Lived, the 6-5 public choice in the wagering, came up second best while Esa (Luke Hanners) concluded his successful series with a third-place finish in the final.

Mr Cool Seaeyre N, who paid $5.90 to win, is owned by Stephen Picarazzi, Brett Derue and Darreyl Bullard. The exacta paid $13.20 in the matinee’s feature while the triple returned $51.50.

Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee starting at noon.