The Friday feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel consisted of just five participants as the track’s top distaffers slugged it out for their share of a $16,000 purse. The Fillies and Mares Open proved to be a rematch in the stretch from last week between Sally Fletcher A (American Ideal) and Happy Heart (Woodstock). Last weekend, Happy Heart got up in the final stride to prevail at odds of 26-1 while Sally Fletcher A had to settle for second. In Friday’s installment of the $16,000 Open, Sally Fletcher A (Bruce Aldrich Jr) moved first-over and powered past the race’s leader before again being confronted by Happy Heart (Brian Cross) in the stretch. This week, though, it was the Jose Godinez-trained Sally Fletcher A who would hit the line first, scoring in 1:53.4 for her sixth win of the season. Returning $11.60 to win, Sally Fletcher A started an exacta which was rounded out by Happy Heart that paid $62.00. YS Tallia (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot. The win was the second of the season in the local Fillies and Mares Open for Sally Fletcher A and fifth for Godinez who scored three victories in the Friday feature early in the meet with distaffer Betabcool N.
Live racing continues on Saturday evening at Saratoga with first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa SImser-Iovino
