by Shelley Blake

Saratoga Springs, NY — Fat, fluffy flurries fell lazily through the chilly air at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Saturday night, March 17 — a stark contrast to the speed that heated up the action and melted any lingering snow on the Spa’s half-mile oval. A day after racing had to be cancelled due to a winter storm that left a foot of snow in its wake, four races were clocked under 1:57, including the featured Open Pace.

Driver/trainer Ron Cushing left from post seven with Our First Falcon N, but got caught up in traffic. The duo were hung out until finally securing the lead right before the half-mile marker (:56.1). Our First Falcon N had little time to catch his breath from the grueling half before Denis St. Pierre and Gimmebackmybullets threw down the first-over challenge, gaining the lead by a half-length on the outside past a 1:25.2 three-quarters. Our First Falcon N stubbornly fought back, and the Open became a two-horse contest entering the stretch. Just when it seemed Gimmebackmybullets had finally ground Our First Falcon N into submission, Cushing’s charge found one last surge of energy, winning the Open by a neck over Gimmebackmybullets, stopping the timer at 1:54.1 — the fastest mile of the year at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway. Whelan Mike and Dan Cappello, Jr. finished third.

Our First Falcon N has two wins and a second place finish in three starts at Saratoga this year. Owner John Brophy and trainer/driver Ron Cushing have taken the “triple crown” of Saratoga features this year, victorious in the Fillies & Mares Open, the Open Trot and Open Pace.

In the second division of the feature, Morocco and Jay Randall got the lead past a :27.4 opening quarter and were never challenged, winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:55.4. Trained by Maureen Salino, it was the 8-year-old gelding’s second win in five attempts this year.