McAssey snags second straight Open

For the second consecutive afternoon, harness racing trainer Jaymes McAssey recorded an Open victory at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

In the Sunday matinee feature, McAssey’s The Good Doctor scored his first ever Open win. On Monday, Up Helly Aa (Armbro Barrister) made his return to the Spa following a three-race stint out of town this winter. The six year old trotter prevailed in the Batavia Open on 1/23 and subsequently was the 9-5 betting favorite in the first Open of the season contested at the Spa.

Shawn Gray piloted Up Helly Aa who raced parked to the opening quarter in 28.2 before clearing the around the paddock turn and coasting through a first half in 58.3. Feeling pressure from Bluffinner (Jordan Derue), a winner of back-to-back Opens to wrap up the ’24 campaign, Up Helly Aa stood up to the challenge and rebuffed that rival before holding off Malibu Kid (Matt Athearn) in the stretch to score in 1:57.

Malibu Kid was the runner-up while Remember Titans (Brett Beckwith) came from a long way back to be third.