Saratoga Springs, NY – Up Helly Aa moved his career earnings to over the $300,000 mark on Tuesday (Feb. 3) after prevailing in the season’s first Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Jaymes McAssey trains Up Helly Aa, who was one of the nominees for Trotter of the Year in 2025 at the Spa. On Tuesday, the son of Armbro Barrister powered out early before yielding to 6-5 favorite Ordained (driven by Larry Stalbaum) in a first quarter that went in :28.1. Ordained rattled off a half in :57.4 before seeing Up Helly Aa pocket-pull and cruise right by on the backstretch. Driver Chris Long and Up Helly Aa drew away to take a lead of close to six lengths before stopping the timer in 1:56.1 to record the victory in his first start of the 2026 campaign.
Ordained, though overpowered by Up Helly Aa, held strong to be a clear second-place finisher while Memorynimagination (Matt Athearn) closed to be third.
Up Helly Aa paid $9.72 to win in the mild upset in the $16,500 Open. The 7-year-old trotter is owned by Ian Fromowitz. McAssey scored a training double on Tuesday when his Send It In Hanover went back-to-back with Up Helly Aa on the card.
Live racing at Saratoga resumes on Saturday (Feb. 7) with a first post time of noon.