Saratoga Harness: The Veteran sets track record, Helpisontheway keeps streak alive

The Veteran lowered the track record for a 3-year-old colt trotter at Saratoga Casino Hotel to 1:54 3/5 in winning the first of a pair of New York Sire Stakes divisions on Friday night over the half-mile Spa oval.

Driven by Scott Zeron in the $89,950 event, The Veteran settled into the fifth position as Don (Mike Simons) made front, forcing Perlucky (Trond Smedshammer) into the two-hole at the 27 1/5 opening quarter and leaving parked-out challenger Tito (Billy Dobson) on the outside to the 56 1/5 half. The Veteran got in gear past the half, catching up Tito on the outside and then making a three-wide move that carried him into the lead past the 1:25 2/5 three-quarters. It was all The Veteran from there, as he pulled away with every stride, winning the race by nine lengths over 76-1 outsider Yuge (Dan Cappello Jr.), who rallied from last in the final quarter. On The Ropes (Wally Hennessey) was third.

The previous record for the division was 1:54 4/5, set by Smalltownthrowdown in 2016.

A Muscle Mass colt, The Veteran is trained by George Ducharme, who also co-owns him with W.J. Donovan, Stephen Michaels, and Jim Winske. This was The Veteran's eighth career win, and he has now earned $221,410. He was the 1-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.

Helpisontheway gave Zeron a sweep and posted his fourth consecutive victory by winning the other $89,950 flight in 1:55 1/5. He advanced into the lead past the 28 3/5 opening quarter, and after middle-half sections of 57 3/5 and 1:26 2/5, a 28 4/5 final kicker got him to the line a length and a half to the good over first leader Cruising In Style (Jim Morrill Jr.). Voss Volo (Dobson) was the third-place finisher.

Helpisontheway is trained by Linda Toscano for owners The Bay's Stable LLC. and Camelot Stable Inc. A Chapter Seven colt, Helpisontheway now has seven lifetime victories, and he has banked $244,976. The 1-9 choice, Helpisontheway returned $2.30 to win.