Gigfy stepped up to the plate and scored in his move up into the $14,000 Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday (May 3).
Driver Alek Chartrand moved Gigfy to the early lead, but gave way to millionaire trotter Cash Me Out heading to the quarter in order to get a pocket trip. With the tempo tepid in lap one, the race did not set up for closers, leaving Cash Me Out and Gigfy to decide the victor in deep stretch. Gigfy surged in the passing lane and got up in time to record his first-ever win the Open Trot, stopping the timer in 1:58.2 to edge Cash Me Out. Gruden, the race’s favourite, closed to be finish third.
Sent the 8-5 favourite, Gruden took the pocket spot and capitalized off the trip to take the $12,000 Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday (April 5).
Gigfy cut the mile, parking a rival to a first half in :56.2. All the while, Gruden was in behind the dueling leaders. And when he got clearance after three-quarters in 1:26, Gruden popped the pocket and cruised past Gigfy before drawing away in the stretch. Billy Dobson piloted Gruden to the better than four-length victory in the feature.
Gruden paid $5.40 to win and led an exacta with Gigfy second that came back $26.00. Stone In Love made a break behind the gate but rallied late to finish third and complete a $69.50 triple.