Bazooka Terror (Western Terror) had been the runner up six times in the feature for fillies and mares at Saratoga Casino Hotel this year and on Thursday night, the Heidi Rohr trainee shook her bridesmaid status and became the bride. Bazooka Terror moved first over on the race’s favorite Godiva Seelster (Wally Hennessey) in the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open and after fast early fractions helped to set the table went right by her rivals in the stretch en route to victory in 1:52.1. The win time served as a new lifetime mark for the seven year old mare. Longshot Narcian Jewel (Bruce Aldrich Jr) closed up the inside and bested Godiva Seelster in the photo for place. The favorite had to settle for third. Bazooka Terror, who was piloted to the win by Billy Dobson, returned $15.80 to win and led an exacta and triple that paid $145.50 and $310.50, respectively. While it was the first win in the local Open for Bazooka Terror, it was the mare’s sixth victory in the 2016 season.
Live racing continues on Friday night at Saratoga with a 7:05pm first post.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Mitch Galusha