Trainer Andy Gardner has big day at The Spa

Harness racing trainer Andy Gardner had a big day on Tuesday afternoon at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The young trainer is the midst of a big season at the Spa and his growing stable had another strong afternoon on the Tuesday matinee.

All Speed Rising (All Speed Hanover) was claimed by Gardner last month and immediately began to paid dividends winning her debut out of her new barn.

The six year old mare drew post two in Tuesday’s $11,000 featured races for distaffers. Billy Dobson piloted All Speed Rising who sat back a bit early in a first lap that saw a couple of lead changes. The top-flight reinsman made his move heading to three quarters and wound up getting the better of front-running Bontz N(Wally Hennessey) around the final turn.

All Speed Rising forged to the front and wound up hanging on in the stretch to record her third victory of the season and her second since joining the Gardner stable, stopping the timer in a career-best 1:54.1. Longshot Onspeed N (Alek Chartrand) came from last and almost reeled the winner in under the shadow of the wire but came up second-best at odds of 39-1. Bontz N held third.

All Speed Rising paid $16.40 to win on a day that saw several big upsets at the Spa. The exacta paid $251.50 while the triple came back $1,391.

ALL SPEED RISING REPLAY

The up-and-coming trainer completed a training double when his Saylavie Bluechip (Art Major) broke her maiden in 1:57.4 with leading driver Jimmy Devaux in the sulky. Gardner had a pair of second-place finishes in addition to the two victories in what was a big day for the 38 year old conditioner.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 6:45pm.

For full race results, click here.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway