Always Watching (He’s Watching) established herself as a top-flight mare last season at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Jordan Derue owns, trains and drives the distaffer who enjoyed a six-figure campaign in 2022 by way of ten wins, many of which came in the Fillies and Mares Open. The ’23 season didn’t start out as strong for the now-five year old although the mare did hit the board in the Open on a few occasions before dropping down in class to secure her first win of the season on April 18th. Following that score, Always Watching moved back into Open company and rattled off her second consecutive victory when she wired the featured field of ladies. Ever since, Always Watching has hit the board in each of her starts leading up into Monday’s try in the $17,000 Fillies and Mares Open.
Derue’s top distaffer was the public’s 8-5 betting favorite on the Memorial Day matinee and wasted little time moving out to the front-end. Cruising unopposed through a fast first half in 55.4, Always Watching wound up powering away from her rivals turning for home en route to her third win of the year and second in the Open. The final time on a beautiful afternoon in the Spa City was 1:53.2 for a much-the-best Always Watching. Fond Memories A (Billy Dobson), last week’s Open winner, was the runner-up on Monday while Alittlesidehustl N (Jay Randall) came on to finish third. Always Watching paid $5.40 to win and led an exacta and triple that came back $35.20 and $78.50, respectively.
Live racing resumes at Saratoga on Saturday evening with a first post time set for 5pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Jessica Hallett
Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, New York
