Our Els Dream N (Elsu) became the third Al Annunziata trainee to record a win in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel this year. The eight year old mare wound up getting a first over journey in Friday’s $18,000 Open for distaffers. The race’s favorite faltered on the engine and Our Els Dream N took advantage, cruising by in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:53.2. Stylish Beachwhere (Frank Coppola Jr) followed the winner’s cover and ended up as the runner-up while West Liberty (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot. Our Els Dream N is the third Annunziata-trained mare to win the Open at the Spa this season as the New Zealand bred mare joined fellow New Zealander Betacool N and Australian invader Quick Draft A as top flight lady pacers to prevail in the Fillies and Mares Open at the Spa this year. Our Els Dream N paid $11.80 to win on Friday and led an exacta and triple that came back $56.50 and $150.50, respectively. She was driven to victory by Bruce Aldrich Jr. who piloted his 7,000th career winner on Wednesday at Monticello and was recognized for the feat on Thursday at Saratoga with a presentation in the winner’s circle. Aldrich currently sits fourth in the local driver standings but well behind Billy Dobson who had a six-win night on Friday.
Live racing continues on Saturday at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
