Dibaba N (Shadow Play) made her local debut a winning one in Thursday’s feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The five year old mare was making her first start out of the Jose Godinez stable when she went off as the public’s 1-9 betting favorite in the $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open on a pleasant Thursday afternoon in the Spa City. Dibaba N got away last in the field of five distaffers but when leading driver Billy Dobson called on the talented New Zealand invader, she appeared every bit up to the task. First-over on local Open staple Bontz N (Jimmy Devaux), Dibaba N had little difficulty pacing past the leader in a third quarter that went in 27.3 before drawing away to win by open daylight in 1:54.3. Bontz N held strong for second to continue her breakout season at Saratoga while longshot Hilaria (Brett Crawford) earned the show spot. With the victory, Dibaba N becomes the fifth different lady pacer to win the Fillies and Mares Open for Godinez this season at Saratoga.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
