Pocket-rocket upsets in Open Handicap

Innifallen (Explosive Matter) and harness racing driver Jordan Derue just followed pacesetter Home ‘n Dry (Billy Dobson) from the start of the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot and the rest was easy Sunday afternoon (Nov. 20) at Saratoga Raceway.

With the race favorite Delayed Hanover (Brett Beckwith) breaking stride and out of the race after the start, Home ‘n Dry went right out to the early lead, cutting fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and then 1:27.3 to the three-quarters.

After making a break at the start, 29-1 Majestic Fire and driver Luke Hanners recovered and came first-over but faded by the three-quarters. Meanwhile, Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) was following second-over in sixth place and then tipped three-wide to move into third by the top of the stretch.

At the same time, 6-1 Innisfallen and Derue moved out of the pocket and also came after Home ‘n Dry and as they started down the stretch, Innisfallen found another gear and pulled away to win by two and one-quarter lengths in 1:57.2. Big Box Hanover was second with Home ‘n Dry third.

INNISFALLEN REPLAY

It was the third straight win for Innifallen, a six-year-old gelding trained by Brett Derue, and his eighth win of the year. He is owned by Stephen Picarazzi, Brett Derue and Darreyl Bullard, paying $15.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink