Memory Game (Artiscape) won his first local harness racing "Open Pace" on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.
The Jackie Rousse trainee drew the rail in the $18,000 feature after finishing second and third in his two previous Open tries at the Spa.
Frank Coppola Jr. piloted the six year old pacer and moved him out to the early lead, rolling the 7-2 shot along on the front end. Memory Game held strong in the stretch and turned back the late bid from rival Upfront Countryboy (Bruce Aldrich Jr) who had to settle for second. Talking Blues (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot.
Memory Game stopped the timer in 1:52.3 in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Saratoga, a win time that not only served as a new career best for him but also marked the fastest time of the season at the Spa to that point. That mark was bettered by Rousse’s Panpero Firpo who scored in the Winners Over pace by stopping the timer in 1:52.1.
Coppola piloted six winners on the night, four of which were Rousse-trained pacers.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee set to begin at 12:45pm.
Mike Sardella