Century Endeavor pulled off the biggest Open upset of the young season at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, March 9 as the Mark Beckwith trainee swooped the group at odds of 31-1 as part of a huge evening for his stable.
The longest shot on the board in the $20,270 Open Handicap Pace got away second to last in the eight-horse feature but leading driver Brett Beckwith remained patient with Century Endeavor, who was a nominee for Pacer of the Year at the Spa in 2023. Nearly a dozen lengths off the lead after the start, Century Endeavor continued to bide his time in a race with fast first-half fractions of :27 and :56 over a sloppy track. Beckwith searched for a seam with Century Endeavor and found one in the stretch as the nine-year-old Shadow Play gelding surged home in a :28.4 final quarter to score in 1:54.3 by half a length. The Beckwith trainee paid $64.50 to win in the upset. Lanjo Lee (Leon Bailey) saved ground in the Open before getting up to be second while Soul Assassin (Marc Campbell) earned the show spot.
Century Endeavor, who is owned by Howard Jacobs of West Orange, New Jersey, was one of five winners on the evening for Brett Beckwith and one of four for his father's stable. Both horsemen have gotten their ’24 campaigns off to a terrific start to sit atop the driver and trainer standings.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)