Driver Jim Devaux scored a grand slam on the Tuesday card at Saratoga Casino Hotel aided by a win in the afternoon’s feature. The veteran reinsman, who has won three consecutive driving titles heading into the 2024 campaign, wound up inheriting the rail with Rocknroll Shelli in the $11,500 feature for fillies and mares following a scratch of the morning line favorite.
Rocknroll Shelli had been winless on the season in seven starts heading into Tuesday’s tilt but did have a trio of second-place finishes to her credit when she stepped up in company. Devaux powered the 9-2 shot away from the gate and secured the lead traveling unopposed in a first half that went in 58.2. Longshot Truly (Billy Dobson) came first-over on the leader and those two battled throughout the second half of the mile before Rocknroll Shelli stopped the timer in 1:55.1 for her first win of the season.
Truly, who was dismissed at odds of 19-1, came up second-best while P L Princess C (Brett Crawford) earned the show spot. Rocknroll Shelli paid $11.40 in the mild upset and led an exacta and triple that returned $119.50 and $550, respectively.
The winner is owned by Chris Lawton and her trainer Dale Lawton, both of New York. Devaux also piloted pacing mares Flames Of Fire, Hey Hey Dbay and Dancethebigdance N to Tuesday scores to complete his driving four-bagger.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 5pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
