Racine Bell (So Surreal) was up into the Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Wednesday at Saratoga Casino Hotel off a decisive victory in the $10,000 Winners Over for distaffers last week. The Dave Dewhurst-trained mare, who won the Open twice in 2020, drew post six in the six-horse Open this week and was asked for early speed from driver Brian Cross to overcome the outside post. The four year old former NY Sire Stakes stalwart worked hard to get to the top but made the front after a 27.3 first quarter. Cross gave the race’s 1-2 betting favorite a bit of a second-quarter breather as they reached the half in 57.2. Without facing a legit challenge, Racine Bell drew off from her rivals clicking off three quarters in 1:26 while opening up what wound up being an insurmountable lead. Pammy Jo (Shawn Gray), the runner-up to Racine Bell both last week and in the Open contested two weeks ago, wound up coming from off the pace to be second once again on Wednesday. The Charging Moa N (Jay Randall) sat the pocket to the winner but got outpaced heading to three-quarters before ending up finishing third. Racine Bell reported home a two-length winner and led an exacta and triple that paid $4.60 and $14.60, respectively, in a chalky feature. Racine Bell is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton of New York.
Live racing resumes on Monday afternoon and will feature some carryovers/jackpots for bettors to shoot for. There is a Pick 5 carryover of $4,005 starting in the first race of the day. The jackpots in the Jackpot Pick 6 and the Jackpot Super High 5 continue to grow as well. They sit at $4,150 for the Jackpot Pick 6 and $4,704 for the Jackpot High 5.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
