30th career victory for Slugfest

Slugfest (Conway Hall) made his return to the harness racing winner's circle on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

The two-time defending Trotter of the Year at the Spa began his season with a third and a second place finish in the $15,000 Open Trot but on Sunday afternoon rediscovered his winning ways.

Jay Randall has been the regular reinsman for the Maureen Salino trainee and after leaving to get away third in the early going moved first over with the local trotting star. Slugfest breezed by the race's favorite before opening up a commanding lead and stopping the timer in 2:02.4 in the 1 1/16 mile feature.

Slugfest returned $7.50 to win in what was the 30th victory in the career of the seven year old highstepper. Longshot Lucid Thoughts (Shawn Gray) closed to be second in the Open while Daylon Miracle (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot in her first start of the season.

Slugfest is looking to become the first horse in track history to earn three Trotter of the Year awards and is off to another strong start to the season.

Live racing resumes on Thursday at Saratoga with first post time set for 4:00pm.

Mike Sardella