Slugfest beats up on Saratoga foes again

Slugfest (Conway Hall) moved his career bankroll to over the half million dollar mark with a win in Sunday's feature at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

The Trotter of the Year at the Spa in both 2014 and 2015, Slugfest is again off to a strong start this season. The Maureen Salino-trained trotter secured his second win of the campaign in the $15,000 Open Trot as he moved out to the early lead in the 1 1/16 mile feature.

Cruising through fractions of 27.1, 56.3 and 126.2, Slugfest dug in in the stretch to hold off the challenge of pocket sitter Flyhawk Thriller (Stephane Bouchard) before prevailing in 203.1 in the 1 1/16 mile trot. Flyhawk Thriller was the runner up while Pop I (Bruce Aldrich Jr) earned the show spot.

Slugfest returned $7.70 to win and led an exacta and triple that paid $41.40 and $168, respectively. Slugfest is off to a great start to his season as he looks to become the first horse to ever be named Trotter of the Year three times at the Spa. The earnings from his Sunday win moved the seven year old's career bankroll tally to over $503,000. Jay Randall piloted Slugfest to his Sunday score.

Live racing resumes on Thursday at Saratoga with a first post time set for 4:00pm.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway