With no Open on the docket, the $12,500 Winners Over for fillies and mares was the feature on Friday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Bontz N (American Ideal) was making her local debut for trainer Gary Levine as she went off as the public’s 1-5 betting favorite in the Friday feature. The New Zealand invader was coming off a decisive victory at Yonkers and once again was pointed out to the front-end in her local debut. Bontz N got a second quarter breather after clicking off a first quarter of 27.4 before the favorite got her first test as she led the charge to three quarters, a challenge that came from Come Get The Cash (Jay Randall). The long first-over journey for Come Get The Cash resulted in a second-place finish as Bontz N paced home in 27.2 to stop the timer in 1:53.3 to prevail in her first start at the Spa. Come Get The Cash was a strong second while Poppy Drayton N (Bruce Aldrich Jr) earned the show spot. Bontz N paid just $2.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $14.60 and $25.40, respectively. Leading driver Billy Dobson piloted Bontz N to her victory in the feature.
Live racing continues on Saturday night with a first time set for 7:05pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
