Patient drive gets Huntsville 5YO the win

Pickup Man Hanover (Huntsville) emerged out of the Saturday night feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel with his third Open Pace harness racing victory of the year.

Jaymes McAssey trains the five year old who became an Open force in 2023 at the Spa and has remained competitive against the track’s top-flight pacers throughout the ’24 season.

On Saturday, Pickup Man Hanover, drew post position two for his try in the $15,000 Open and took back in the early going in a race that saw plenty of early speed.

Sitting patiently in a first lap that went in 56.1, Pickup Man Hanover was five-and-a half lengths off the lead at the half mile pole before he began to make his move. Hennessey found second-over cover and Pickup Man Hanover made steady progress throughout the second lap before taking the lead as the pacers turned for home.

The McAssey trainee imposed his will in the stretch en route to a three-and-a-half length score in the feature. Alluneedisfaith N (Shawn Gray) closed to be second in his return to town while Talking Tom (Chris Long) hit the board in the Open for the sixth consecutive start when he earned the show spot.

PICKUP MAN HANOVER REPLAY

Pickup Man Hanover paid $12.40 to win in the mild upset when he stopped the timer in 1:53.4 for what was his third Open Pace score of the season.

The winner, who led an exacta and triple that returned $96 and $199, respectively, is owned by Dennis and Simone Noud of Saratoga Springs. Hennessey piloted four more winners on the Saturday card while in the midst of a sensational 2024 campaign at the Spa.  

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that begins at 12pm.  

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway