Open to Heaven On High N, Beckwith’s win five

Heaven On High N (Rock N Roll Heaven) first won the Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel in April. Larry Stalbaum trains and drives the New Zealand import and after hitting the board in three straight and four out of his previous five tries in the Open, Heaven On High N wanted the lead on Saturday night.

Stalbaum went pedal to the metal in the early stages of the $15,000 feature and the seven-year-old made it to the top in a :27 second flat first quarter. Motoring through a first half in 55.1, Heaven On High N traveled unopposed before being confronted by Lanjo Lee (Billy Dobson), the race’s 7-5 second choice, who came first-over.

Heaven On High N fought gamely and turned back Lanjo Lee late before being met with a late challenge from the favored Ahi Sunshine (Wally Hennessey) who came into Saturday night off back-to-back wins in the Open.

Heaven On High N would not be denied and reported home a winner of a length and three-quarters stopping the timer in 1:52 for his second victory in the local Open and his fourth win on the season overall.

HEAVEN ON HIGH N REPLAY

Heaven On High N, who is owned by the Shark Racing Stable, paid $13 to win in the upset and led an exacta with Ahi Sunshine second that returned $47.20. The triple in the six-horse Open was rounded out by Lanjo Lee and came back $57.

Stalbaum doubled on the night when his Ashley Locaz N (Bettor’s Delight) won for the eleventh time of the year in a $10,500 event for pacers.

ASHLEY LOCAZ N REPLAY

On the Saturday card, leading trainer Mark Beckwith and leading driver Brett Beckwith teamed up for five winners on the pacing-filled card on an evening in which they kicked the night off with wins in each of the first three races on the card. Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga when the matinee will begin at noon.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Jessica Hallett, for Saratoga Raceway