On Tuesday afternoon, Arizona (Up The Credit) won for the first time since coming to Saratoga Casino Hotel earlier in the month. The Mark Beckwith-trained mare drew post seven in an eight-horse Fillies and Mares Open and driver Brett Beckwith found some early speed from the five year old distaffer who marched onto the front-end in the $15,000 Open.
The fractions were fast in the feature as Arizona clicked off first-half fractions of 27 and 56.3 before being confronted by defending Horse of the Year Always Watching (Jordan Derue) who toughed it out first-over.
The trip took its toll on the track’s top horse of 2023 and Arizona put that one away around the final turn. Pocket-sitting favorite Swedish Starlet N (Matt Athearn) took her shot at Arizona in the stretch but the chase proved futile as the Beckwith trainee held on to win in 1:55 for her first Open victory.
Swedish Starlet N was second-best to complete a $9.20 exacta while Always Watching held on to be third and round out a $59.50 triple. Arizona, who is owned by Wendy Warren Timpano, of Ontario, Canada, paid $4.90 to win in the mile clocked in 1:55.
The feature score was one of three on the day for the Beckwith stable and one of six for reinsman Brett Beckwith who has gotten his ’24 campaign off to a sensational start.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a first post time set for 5pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, New York
Jessica Hallett photo
