Magical Maya A (Bettor’s Delight) made her U.S.A. debut a winning one on Monday afternoon when she scored in the feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the five year old Aussie invader who used two winning qualifiers as preps for her local debut in Monday’s $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open. Stalbaum settled in early with the mare who was the public’s 4-5 betting favorite in her first Spa try before completing a quarter-move in an opening panel paced in 29 seconds.
Our Lady Lara A (Brett Beckwith) was on the lead when she was bypassed by the favorite who cruised unopposed through a half in 58.2 and three quarters in 1:26.4. With out-of-towner Laurie Lee (Jimmy Devaux) in the midst of a late rally from off the pace and Our Lady Lara A lurking in the pocket, Magical Maya A was asked to crank up the speed around the final turn and her response was instant.
The favorite reported home a length and a half winner in a mile clocked in 1:56.1 on a chilly late-November day in Saratoga Springs. Our Lady Lara A was the runner-up in the ladies’ feature while Laurie Lee finished third. The exacta in the five-horse Open paid $13.20 while the triple returned $27.
Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon with a matinee that kicks off at noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Jessica Hallett
Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, New York
