Saratoga Springs, NY – Thursday afternoon (June 18) marked the return of racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel with a 13-race program on a beautiful June day in the Spa City.

With only about a month of the scheduled season being contested in 2020 heading into Thursday, trainer-driver Alek Chartrand had just 10 starts as a trainer and six as a driver under his belt on the year. The return card was a big one for the 35-year-old Chartrand who enjoyed his best day of the “young season” as he not only recorded a pair of victories but secured both wins with horses who had drawn post position eight.

In only his second lifetime start, My Pal Joe won by 11 lengths Thursday at Saratoga. Melissa Simser-Iovino Photo.

The dazzling mile of the day came from a Chartrand trainee who was making just his second lifetime start. My Pal Joe (Roll With Joe) raced only once as a freshman in 2019 but came into Thursday’s event for maiden pacers off an impressive 1:56.3 romp in a qualifier contested last week.  Chartrand powered My Pal Joe out from his outside post and made it to the top.  The sophomore dominated his group of fellow 3-year-olds before scoring a decisive 11-length win in an eye-popping 1:53.4.

Chartrand’s Onspeed N (Bettor’s Delight) also drew the unfortunate task of starting from post eight on Thursday when she made her local debut. Dismissed at odds of 16-1, Onspeed N pulled off the upset in her first Spa start as she parlayed a pocket trip to a win in 1:57.1.  Onspeed N, a new addition to Chartrand’s stable, paid $35.60 to win.

Driver Jordan driver made three trips to the winner’s circle, including two for trainer Jaymes McAssey.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon (June 21) at Saratoga with a 13-race card set to kickoff at noon.