There were two divisions of the first leg of the Spa Spring Claiming Series for harness racing pacers on Thursday evening at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.
The two races that each went for purses of $7,500 were run at a distance of 13/16 of a mile (6.5 furlongs) and were both had seven participants.
Claiming pacers with $5,000 price tags attached competed in leg one of the series.
There were three horses claimed out of the first leg including both of Thursday's winners.
Rock N Joe (Kilowatt) was the 1-5 favorite in his division of the Spa Spring Claiming Series and he made good by pacing his 6.5 furlongs in 1:31.3.
Billy Dobson drove the four year old to his second consecutive victory.
He was claimed on Thursday evening.
The other division saw ER Leon (Brian Cross) go start to finish, holding off the late challenge from the favored Mccabe Hall (Jordan Derue) who had to settle for second.
ER Leon clocked his win in 1:33.3.
Just like fellow leg one winner Rock N Joe, ER Leon was claimed out of the series as was one of his Thursday challengers Regalwood.
Leg two of the series will take place next Thursday with increased claiming prices for its participants while the series final is set for two weeks from now.
Live racing continues on Friday night at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella