Six wins in eight starts for In The Huddle

In The Huddle (American Ideal) pulled off a mild harness racing  upset in the Open Pace on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The Joe DeCarlo-trained pacer rode a three race win streak into his debut in the local Open.

Reinsman Jimmy Devaux took the 9-1 shot In The Huddle back early as the fractions were fierce in lap one of the $16,000 feature.

After sitting patiently while first half splits of 26.3 and 54.4 were carved out, In The Huddle made his move up the backstretch before fanning to the far outside turning for home. The four year old pacer emerged victorious from a scramble in the stretch, coming on to win in 1:52.4, besting BJ's Guy (Bruce Aldrich Jr) and Southwind Amazon who finished second and third, respectively.

Less than three lengths covered the entire field at the wire in what was one of the most competitive local features in the 2016 season at the Spa.

In The Huddle, a $10,000 claim back in June, has rattled off six wins in his eight starts out of the DeCarlo stable.

Paying $20.40 to win, In The Huddle led an exacta that paid $75 and a triple that came back $460.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon featuring a pick 5 carryover of $2,586. The matinee kicks off at 12:15pm.

Mike Sardella