Trainer Jose Godinez has brought several different distaffers to Saratoga Casino Hotel to compete in the Fillies and Mares Open over the last few years. Last week, his Westsluckycam prevailed in the $15,000 feature for the ladies as she went coast-to-coast with Bruce Aldrich Jr. in the sulky. On Thursday afternoon, Godinez unveiled his Shezallapples A (Sportswriter) for the first time in the ladies feature at the Spa. The six year old Australian invader came to town as a winner in three of her last four starts and was subsequently the Open’s even money betting favorite after she drew the rail. Aldrich put Shezallapples A on the lead and after cruising unopposed in a first half clocked in 56.3 was met with the challenge of Coveredndiamonds N (Jay Randall) who rushed up first-over. Shezallapples A proved up to the task, drawing clear in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:53.3 besting Coveredndiamonds N who was the runner-up and third place finisher Queen Elsa (Steve Genois). The win was the second straight in the Fillies and Mares Open for Godinez and was his stable’s third victory in the ladies’ feature at the Spa in the last five installments of it. Sally Fletcher A prevailed in an April Open for distaffers for Godinez and Aldrich.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 7:05pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
