Saratoga Springs, NY — Soul Assassin was one the top pacers at Saratoga Casino Hotel in 2023 and on Saturday (May 4) night, the Brett Derue trainee won his first Open Pace of the ’24 campaign.

Soul Assassin was impressive in victory in the Saratoga feature Saturday. Jessica Hallett Photo.

A winner of nine races last season, Soul Assassin got off to a bit of a slow start in 2024. Competing for the defending leading trainer at the track, Soul Assassin, a 5-year-old gelding by Malicious, drew post four for his try in the $15,000 Open on Saturday. Coming off his first victory of the season, Soul Assassin was heavily backed by the betting public in his return to the Open, going off as the 8-5 favorite in the wagering.

Driver Billy Dobson was ultra-aggressive with the Derue-trained pacer and powered him out to the early lead despite being parked out in a first quarter that went in a sizzling 26.4. Soul Assassin took the early lickin’ and kept tickin’ as the favorite persevered after reaching the half in 56 seconds before checking in at three quarters in 1:24.

Longshot Belmont Major N (Matt Athearn) sat the pocket to Soul Assassin and wound up as the runner-up in the feature while Ronaldo N (Wally Hennessey), the longest shot on the board, earned the show spot in a mile clocked in 1:53.

Soul Assassin paid $5.50 to win in his first Open score of ’24 and the former Pacer of the Year nominee led an exacta and triple that returned $47.80 and $504, respectively. Soul Assassin is owned in partnership by Steve Picarazzi, Donny Bullard and trainer Brett Derue.

Leading driver Brett Beckwith was the sulky star of the night as the young reinsman piled up six winners on the card to continue his sensational season at the Spa. Live racing continues on Sunday with a matinee that is set to kick off at Noon.