Godiva Seelster has been one of the top pacing mares both at Pompano Park and at Saratoga Casino Hotel over the past few seasons. While always consistent and productive, the Dan Hennessey-trained distaffer hasn’t necessarily been at her best since returning to the Spa in April. The seven year old had recorded just one victory in her eight local starts this year before going off as the 1-5 betting favorite in Friday night’s $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open. Driver Wally Hennessey wasted little time putting the speedy mare on the engine and after flying through a first quarter in 26.4, Godiva Seelster got a second quarter in thirty seconds before pacing a back half of 55.4. The talented mare stopped the timer in 1:52.3 to record her fourth victory of the season and 43rd in 126 lifetime starts. So Nice (Jim Devaux) won the place photo with Tataria (Mark Beckwith) in the six-horse feature. While she doesn’t own as high of a win percentage this season as she had in years past, Godiva Seelster has hit the board 11 of 15 seasonal starts and may be primed for a big summer at the Spa.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 6:45pm first post.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Mikayla Gray
