Lake Charles takes another Spa Open

On Saturday evening, Lake Charles (Well Said) became the second harness racing horse to win as many as five Opens this season at Saratoga Casino Hotel when the Amanda Kelley trainee prevailed in the $16,000 Open Pace.

Driven by Leon Bailey, Lake Charles powered out from post position five on Saturday to make the lead but was quickly confronted by the race’s favorite whose attempted quarter move was rebuffed.

The five-year-old Lake Charles sizzled through a first half in 55.1 before being met with the challenge of Apex Seelster (Jimmy Devaux) who hit the board in all four of his local starts heading into Saturday’s try in the feature. Lake Charles drew clear again in the stretch before hanging on to win in 1:52.

Apex Seelster was a strong runner-up while longshot American Zest A (Larry Stalbaum) came on to finish third.

Lake Charles paid $8.40 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $42.20 and $435.50, respectively. The victory was the fifth in Open company at the Spa this season for Lake Charles who matched pacing mare Chasethecloudsaway as the winningest Open horses in the 2022 campaign.

LAKE CHARLES REPLAY

Saturday’s winner is owned by Scheigert&Alliesracing LLC of Saratoga Springs, NY.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga and will feature a Pick 5 carryover of $1,374 with the Pick 5 beginning in the matinee’s first race. Post time is set for noon.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway