Culinary Delight N (Lis Mara) came from well off the pace to record the win in Friday’s Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the eight year old New Zealand bred who drew post five in the six-horse feature on Friday. Culinary Delight N got away fifth and sat patiently near the back of the pack as the race’s favorite Clear Idea (Billy Dobson) was carving out the fractions. The race’s 3-5 public choice in the wagering, Clear Idea didn’t face a challenge before checking in at three quarters in 1:25.3 on a cold November night in Saratoga. Betabcool (Bruce Aldrich Jr) was the first to move on the outside, coming out after the leader approaching three quarters. Culinary Delight picked up the cover of that rival and they began to close-in in tandem on Clear Idea around the final turn. Culinary Delight N came charging home and got by Clear Idea in the final strides before stopping the timer in 1:54.2 to record her second win in the local Fillies and Mares Open on the season. Culinary Delight N paid $16.00 to win in the upset score and led an exacta with the favored Clear Idea second that returned $41.00. Betabcool N earned the show spot and completed a $130.50 triple in the Open for distaffers.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 6:45pm first post.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
