Spinarama (Cam's Card Shark) changed tactics to secure the win in the harness racing $19,250 Open Pace on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.
It was the fifth Open victory of the year for the Chris Marino-trainee who usually does his best work on the front end.
On Saturday night, driver Austin Siegelman got a pocket trip for the six year old pacer who rode the coattails of defending Horse of the Year Panocchio (Gerry Mattison) before poking his nose out in time to win by the slimmest of margins in 1:52.
Panocchio finished second while the race's favorite Hot Roddy (Stephane Bouchard) had to settle for third.
Spinarama, who is owned by Mike Casalino Jr. of Freehold, NJ, was dismissed at odds of 6-1 and won for the eighth time in 2015.
Returning $14.80 to win, Spinarama led an exacta and triple that paid $51 and $131.50.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella