On Monday afternoon, Always Watching (He’s Watching) did what she so often does at Saratoga Casino Hotel and that’s win an Open. Jordan Derue owns, trains and drives Always Watching who was named Horse of the Year at Saratoga in 2023 following a season in which she won the local Fillies and Mares Open nine times. The six-year-old headed into her Monday tilt with a pair of Open victories to her credit in ’24 and drew post four for her assignment in the $15,000 feature.
The public’s 1-2 betting favorite, Always Watching wound up with a tough first-over trip on rival Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson) who dictated the terms throughout three quarters that went in 1:25.2. Always Watching paced to the flank of the leader and ground her into submission in the stretch when Alittlesidehustl N succumbed to the pressure of the favorite before ending up third. Longshot Perfect Queen (Brett Crawford) shook loose late to get up for second behind Always Watching whose Monday win came in 1:54.1 and was her third in nine seasonal starts.
The exacta in the feature paid $33.20 while the triple came back $78.50. The win was one of a pair on the day for Derue as an owner/trainer/driver as his Cupid Express prevailed for the second consecutive start trotting to a 1:58.1 seasonal best score that came in upset fashion while dismissed at odds of 8-1.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a 5pm first post time.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
