Soft Shot became the winningest distaffer in the Fillies and Mares Open this season at Saratoga Casino Hotel when on Tuesday, the top-flight lady pacer scored in the $18,000 feature for the fifth time in 2026. Soft Shot has been utilizing a mix of early speed and closing ability to put together the strong resume from her first season of racing at the Spa. On Tuesday, Soft Shot was co-favored at odds of 8-5 while starting from post four for her try in the ladies’ feature. Kyle Swift is the regular driver for Soft Shot and flashed speed with the top-flight five year old who made the lead in a speedy 26.4 first quarter before reaching the half in 55.4. The Jaymes McAssey-trained mare showed no signs of letting up, rattling off three quarters in 1:23.4 before scoring in 1:52.4 to set a new seasonal mark on Tuesday. The victory was the fifth in the Fillies and Mares Open this year for Soft Shot who has earned over $60,000 on the campaign. Longshot Macarena Wink (Billy Dobson) sat the pocket to the winner before finishing second while Vel Cinderella (Aaron Byron) earned the show spot in her local debut. The win was one of three on the day for the 20 year old Swift who sits atop the driver standings this season in his first year of piloting full-time at Saratoga. Soft Shot is owned by Paul Oneil of Saratoga Springs.
Live racing continues on Wednesday afternoon with a 14-race matinee that begins at 12pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
