Series sweep for Little Instigator

Little Instigator (Heston Blue Chip) was the dominant harness racing force in the Virginia O’Brien Memorial Pace contested at Saratoga Casino Hotel and on Tuesday afternoon, the three year old completed the Series sweep.

Joe Skowyra trains Little Instigator who prevailed in her local debut in April before heading into the O’Brien Memorial.

The sophomore rattled off three consecutive victories in the legs of the Series, each when backed to odds of 1-9, and subsequently was heavily backed once again by the betting public for her try in the $31,400 Final. Aaron Byron piloted Little Instigator who was forced to change tactics this week and sat the pocket behind upset-minded leg two and three winner Bobby Mcgee (Leon Bailey) who set sizzling fractions on the engine on Tuesday.

After the first half went in 55 seconds, Little Instigator popped the pocket past three quarters in 1:23.4 before pacing past to win by three quarters of a length in a career-best clocking of 1:54.3. J Glo (Jimmy Devaux) came on to finish second while longshot Cindy’s Faith closed to be third.

LITTLE INSTIGATOR REPLAY

Bobby Mcgee faded late to finish fourth in the Final. Little Instigator, who is owned by William and Sarah McMillan of Maryland, became the tenth winner of the O’Brien Memorial since the Series began back in 2015. 

Live racing resumes on Sunday afternoon with a first post time of 12pm.   

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway