Laurie Lee (Royel Millennium) made her return to Saratoga Casino Hotel a winning one on Tuesday afternoon when the Peter Pellegrino-trained mare went coast-to-coast in the matinee’s feature. Laurie Lee competed in the Fillies and Mares Open at the Spa last season and enjoyed some success. The eight-year-old mare drew the rail for her Tuesday try in the $15,000 Open for distaffers. Reinsman Jimmy Devaux wanted the lead at all costs and turned back an early bid from a rival to secure the front-end in a sizzling first quarter that went in 26.3. The tempo remained hot on a warmer March afternoon in the Spa City as Laurie Lee checked in at the half in 55.3 and remained unopposed while rattling off three quarters in 1:24.3. The veteran opened up a lead that would prove to be insurmountable in the stretch before she stopped the timer in 1:53.3, a clocking that marked the fastest for any horse on the still young season at the Spa. Co-favored Quarrel (Jay Randall) was the runner-up to Laurie Lee while Magical Maya A (Matt Athearn) finished third despite being parked the mile in the feature. Laurie Lee paid $8.90 to win in the mild upset. The winner is owned by June Hamerla of Georgia.
