33-1 longshot upsets in Open Pace

Heaven On High N (Rock N Roll Heaven) prevailed at a price in his Saratoga Casino Hotel harness racing debut on Saturday night (April 6).

Larry Stalbaum trains and drives the seven-year-old New Zealand invader who drew post eight for his first start in the local $15,000 Open Pace and the veteran reinsman just kept rolling Heaven On High N up on the outside while parked throughout a first quarter that went in :28.1. The longshot powered up to the front clicking off a half in :56.3 before facing numerous challengers in the second lap.

The favored My Pal Joe (Shawn Gray) was left to grind it out first over and applied pressure to the longshot leader while rivals closed in on Heaven on High N who proved up to the task.

The Spa first-timer paid $69.50 as a 33-1 longshot from post eight. My Pal Joe, the 1-5 betting favorite, was the runner-up in a $215.50 exacta while Lanjo Lee (Jay Randall) completed a $464.50 triple.

Heaven On High N, who is owned by Shark Racing Stable of Bainbridge, NY, stopped the timer in 1:54.

HEAVEN ON HIGH N REPLAY

The Stalbaum stable now owns three victories in the $15,000 Open Pace this season as his Rocknroll Runa A scored two consecutive feature scores back in February.

The Saturday card was also highlighted by the meet’s leading connections as leading driver Brett Beckwith piloted five winners on the card as he teamed up with his father, leading trainer Mark Beckwith, for four consecutive wins on the program.

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

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway