It had been awhile since Betabcool N (Bettor’s Delight) recorded a win in the local Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Jose Godinez-trained mare won the feature three times early in the season but had gone winless in the Open since April 13th, albeit in limited tries, heading into Friday night’s action. Betabcool N had a second and a third place finish in her two most recent starts in the Open and was dismissed at odds of 7-1 in a six-horse feature on Friday night. Bruce Aldrich Jr. left a bit with Betabcool N but they wound up coming away third as the top two choices in the wagering came away one-two. Betabcool N made her move as the feature field made its way towards the three-quarter pole and the eight year old New Zealand-bred mare paced right past the leader. Longshot OK Jewel (Jimmy Devaux) came from well off the pace and tried to get to Betabcool N in the stretch but it was to no avail. Betabcool N’s fourth Open win of the year came in 1:54.4. OK Jewel was the runner-up while Culinary Delight N (Larry Stalbaum) earned the show spot. Betabcool N paid $16.40 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $185 and $395, respectively. Godinez has won the local Fillies and Mares Open seven times this season, three times with Sally Fletcher A and now four with Betabcool N. Godinez and Aldrich also teamed up for a victory in the $15,000 Winners Over for fillies and mares on Friday night as veteran distaffer Glenferrie Bronte N (Changeover) lived up to the hype at odds of 3-5 to give her connections a double on the night. With the earnings from her score, Glenferrie Bronte N moved her career bankroll to over the $300,000 mark.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 6:45pm first post.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
