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Star Pilot shines at Saratoga

 

Star Pilot and Leon Bailey proved to be too tough Tuesday, April 14 in the $8,300 conditioned trot at Saratoga Harness. The duo covered the one-mile event in a time of 1:59.4 as a mild upset winner.

 

Starting from post four, Star Pilot left the gate with intentions of leading the way. They were challenged by Discus Hanover and Jacob Cutting from the inside, who reached the top spot first, keeping Star Pilot hung on the outside around the first turn. Once they straightened up toward the quarter in :29.4, Star Pilot was able to clear for one stride before Discus Hanover was back out to retake the lead.

 

Heading to the half, Discus Hanover continued to lead the way with no movement coming from the back of the pack. Heading to the three-quarter pole, Pappy Go Go and Phil Fluet moved out and up but could not get close to the top two. This allowed Star Pilot to move to the outside at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.2. However, the petite Star Pilot could not make up any ground on Discus Hanover, who was hanging tough on the top spot.

 

At the head of the lane, Discus Hanover went off stride and left the course inside the pylons. This would have appeared to open up the race to Star Pilot. However, the miscue by Discus Hanover opened up the inside for Arlanda and Chris Lone, who shot up the inside. But Star Pilot was strong to the wire, winning by one length over Arlanda. Paradise Moni and Aaron Byron finished third.

 

Star Pilot paid $23.60 for the win. The five-year-old daughter of Pilot Discretion is owned by Adam Friedland and trained by Amanda Bailey. Devon Knepp bred the mare, who picked up her 13th career win and her second of 2026. Overall, she has more than $172,000 in earnings with a career best time of 1:55.4 taken as a three-year-old at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. She has been with her current connections since last summer.

 

Star Pilot sold as a yearling at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale as part of the David Wayne Yoder consignment, who was acting as agent for Devon Knepp. She is the first foal from the Crazed mare KS Crazee and was purchased by Porterprofessionalservices of Michigan for $20,000. She made her debut on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit for trainer-driver Matt Rheinheimer and later moved to Harrah’s Hoosier Park, competing in the Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final. After being claimed, she eventually landed in upstate New York.

 

Earlier in the day at Saratoga, Leon Bailey guided another Indiana trotter to a win as Help Us Help You moved first over before taking over late in the lane for the win in 1:59.4. Help Us Help You was a length winner over Spill the Tea and Aaron Byron. Shalamar Hanover and Chris Long finished third.

 

Help Us Help You paid $20.42 for the win. The four-year-old Helpisontheway gelding is owned by Adam Friedland and trained by Daniel Gill. Help Us Help You was bred by Wiesman Farms of Maryland. He is now a three-time winner in 2026 with five wins overall. His career best time remains at 1:58.0 taken as a two-year-old at Harrah’s Hoosier Park where he began his career under the direction of trainer Joe Putnam.

 

 

 

 


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