For the second consecutive Thursday afternoon, Osprey Blue Chip (American Ideal) pulled off an upset in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel. A recent claim by trainer Lisa Zabielski, Osprey Blue Chip prevailed in last week’s (June 13th) installment of the ladies’ feature by scoring at odds of 21-1. On Thursday, the five year old mare drew post four in the five-horse feature and was again dismissed by the betting public, this time at odds of 12-1. Brett Crawford again sat behind the new Zabielski stable star and got away last in the $15,000 Open for distaffers. As the favorites slugged it out, Osprey Blue Chip followed the cover of the 3-5 betting choice Betterb Chevron N (Mark Beckwith) before tipping off that cover turning for home. The longshot won the battle in the stretch, coming on to score in 1:53.4 to set a new lifetime mark while pulling off yet another upset. Betterb Chevron N finished second while Spreester (Jimmy Devaux) earned the show spot. For Osprey Blue Chip, it was win number six in twelve starts in 2019 with each of her last three victories coming while sent out at odds of 12-1 or higher. She paid $27.80 to win in her most recent upset score and led an exacta with the favorite second that returned $167.50. Osprey Blue Chip is owned by Bill Reepmeyer LLC of Meredith, NH.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino