The first Open of the harness racing season at Saratoga Casino and Raceway yielded by far the biggest payout of the young campaign.
Saturday night's $15,000 Open Pace was contested at a distance of 1 1/16 miles and there were several leavers who slugged it out in the early going in the year's first feature.
Texas Terror N (Western Terror) was the race's favorite and powered out to the early lead. Immediately met with the challenge of a parked out rival, Texas Terror N endured fractions of 27 and 54.3 in the first half. The field bunched up after three quarters in 1:23.4 and it was longshot Donau (American Ideal) who surged past his rivals and drew away to win by four and a half lengths.
Stephane Bouchard piloted the longshot winner who lit up the board returning $99.50 while covering the 1 1/16 mile in 2:00 at odds of 48-1.
Titus Seelster (Frank Coppola Jr) was the runner up and completed a $1200 exacta while City Hall (Larry Stalbaum) earned the show spot.
The Andrew Adamczyk-trained Donau's upset victory came in the seven year old pacer's Saratoga debut.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15pm.
There will be a t-shirt giveaway in recognition of the 75th anniversary of racing at Saratoga Raceway.
Mike Sardella