It was a fantastic week at Saratoga Casino Hotel for Larry Stalbaum. The veteran reinsman piloted his 6,000th career winner on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, Stalbaum guided three winners including in the Open Pace with his superstar Crockets Cullen N. The wins kept coming on Wednesday for Stalbaum who had three victories with his trainees including one in the feature. Miss Irish Rose A (McArdle) went coast-to-coast in the Fillies and Mares Open on Wednesday evening scoring in 1:54.2. The eight year old mare’s victory was her third in the local Open for distaffers this season. She was the public’s 3-2 betting favorite as she held off late charges from pocket-sitter Thats Incredible (Billy Dobson), who was the runner-up in the Open for the third time in the last four weeks, and longshot Surreal Feeling (Jay Randall), who earned the show spot. The exacta and triple in the paid $14.20 and $72.50, respectively. Stalbaum also guided his Jericho Diva (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Abby Rose (Heston Blue Chip) to Wednesday wins. Abby Rose, a two year old filly, is now two-for-three in her young career after following up a victory in the New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Series A with a decisive score in her local debut which saw her stop the timer in 1:56.3. Stalbaum drove eight winners and secured five training victories during the week’s action at the Spa.
Live racing takes place next week on Monday and Tuesday afternoon beginning at 12 noon and on Wednesday evening starting at 7:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
