by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — In the 69-year history of Saratoga Raceway, no horse has ever paid a higher win mutuel than Nuclear Heat did in the Thursday (June 18) finale.

Dave Oxford photo

Driver Mark Beckwith and owner Henry Pratt, Jr. pose in the winner’s circle after Nuclear Heat’s historic win.

At odds of 242-1, Henry Pratt, Jr.’s Nuclear Heat overcame post eight to win the evening’s 13th and final race. A win price of $486.00 resulted, the highest win price in the track’s history. The previous record was set in December 2008 when Double Up scored the upset by overcoming his outside post to register a win payoff of $406.50. Double Up’s win price broke a record that was set a decade earlier in 1999.

Mark Beckwith was at the controls behind Nuclear Heat and left the gate with the longshot from post eight. After sitting inside until the three-quarter pole, Nuclear Heat took a shot at the top tandem in the race’s final quarter and came on in the stretch to record the historic win.

The stretch drive was a good one as all eight participants were separated by less than four total lengths at the wire.

The evening also saw trainer Maureen Salino record a training double, including a win with a longshot of her own. Suddenly In Charge wired the race 11 field with Wally Hennessey showing the way. Suddenly In Charge recorded the upset at 43-1 and was the second half of Salino’s training double which started with Town Joke parlaying the pocket ride to the victory. Brian Allen was the winning driver behind Town Joke.

Live harness racing resumes on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.