Bates brings home mild longshot in $30,000 Open

Harness racing driver Brandon Bates was able send 6-1 Saddle Up (JK Endofanera) down the road and just held on at the wire in capturing the $30,000 Open Pace at Miami Valley Raceway Sunday (Jan. 29).

The 8^th race feature saw Bates and Saddle Up shoot to the early lead from post five with the race favorite, Big Fritz (Brett Miller), grabbing the two-hole trip.

Saddle Up led to the quarter mile in :27.4, then led to the half mile in :55.2. By the backstretch, Brookview Bullet (Jordan Ross) in fourth place came first-over with My Hero Ron (Trace Tetrick) second-over. Brookview Bullet gained on the outside and was second against pacesetter Saddle Up at the three-quarters in 1:24.

By the top of the stretch, Saddle Up had a one length lead while Let It Ride N (Dan Noble), who had been third over in 6^th place at the top of the stretch, turned on the afterburners and nearly caught race winner Saddle Up by a neck in 1:52. Brookview Bullet was third.

SADDLE UP REPLAY

It was the first win in three starts this year for Saddle Up. He is trained by Walter Haynes, Jr. for Jeff Fought Racing and paid $14.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink