A charismatic victory at Saratoga

Last year's Trainer of the Year at Saratoga, Colin Johnson, has picked up right where he left off. Starting out the year atop the trainer standings, Johnson has been dominant since coming to town midway through last season. On Thursday night, Johnson had a training double as Chasing Hope and Charismatic each scored victories on the 13-race card.

Chasing Hope paid dividends right away for Johnson, who claimed the trotting mare last week, as she parlayed her pocket trip to a win in the night's seventh race.

Charismatic, whom Johnson co-owns with Robert Harrison, went wire to wire in 1:58.2 and highlighted his win with the evening's fastest final quarter. Denis St. Pierre, who piloted both winners on the card for Johnson, stepped on the gas heading for home and Charismatic completed a final half of :57.2 with a :28 final panel to record his second win in three local starts this season. (Saratoga)

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