Fastest mile of the season at Saratoga

Lanjo Lee (So Surreal) posted the fastest mile of the harness racing season at Saratoga Casino Hotel when on Saturday night, the classy five-year-old scored in the Open Pace. Jeff Sorenson trains Lanjo Lee who came into the Saturday tilt with two Open wins to his credit in 2024, one coming at Batavia Downs and one here at Saratoga.

Jimmy Devaux sat behind Lanjo Lee for the first time in the $15,000 feature and took no prisoners with the Sorenson trainee as they pocketed rival Heaven On High N (Larry Stalbaum) in the early going while sizzling through first-half fractions of :27.2 and :56.3.

The race’s favorite Tack Room Chatter (Brett Beckwith) rushed up to challenge Lanjo Lee as they squared off through three quarters in 1:24.3 but the front-runner would not relent. Lanjo Lee put the favorite away in the final turn before feeling just modest pressure from Heaven On High N in the stretch and recording a 1:51.4 victory, the fastest clocking for any horse at Saratoga in the ’24 campaign.

Lanjo Lee’s win was his third of the season and his fastest since setting a lifetime mark of 1:50 last year at Pocono Downs. The 7-5 shot in the wagering paid $4.80 to win and led an exacta with Heaven On High N second that returned $17.

LANJO LEE REPLAY

Longshot Talking Tom (Chris Long) earned the show spot in his seasonal debut to round out a $114 triple. Lanjo Lee, a seven time winner last year, has become a force in the local Open Pace this year for owner Gordon Swift of Bath, NY.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at noon.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway