Real Illusion (Real Desire) scored in Saturday's Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The six year old pacer was making his first start for trainer Jose Godinez after a claim last weekend and Real Illusion paid immediate dividends for his new harness racing connections by scoring in the $15,000 feature.
Bruce Aldrich Jr. piloted Real Illusion who wound up first over in a race that featured first half fractions of 26.0 and 54.0.
Real Illusion stopped the timer in 1:59.3 in the 1 1/16 mile Open as the race's 7-5 betting favorite.
Grand Galop Semalu (Mark Beckwith) was the runner up in the Saturday feature while Whogoesfirst (Stephane Bouchard) earned the show spot.
The exacta with 26-1 longshot Grand Galop Semalu second returned $74.50 and the triple paid $334.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a pick five carryover of $2,731. The matinee begins at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella