Surreal Feeling (So Surreal) has had an incredible 2021 campaign and on Tuesday afternoon, the six year old mare recorded her eighth Open win of the season at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Dale Lawton-trained distaffer returned to the Spa in October and secured one win and three seconds in four tries in the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open heading into Tuesday’s try. Alek Chartrand has been the regular driver for Surreal Feeling in her local starts and was at the helm behind the 2-5 betting favorite in the feature. After a fast first quarter paced in 27.1, the race’s leader backed down the half to the tune of 57.4. Surreal Feeling picked up cover and charged up second-over before tipping off the cover past the three quarter pole. As the favorite shifted gears, Chasethecloudsaway (Luke Hanners), the winner of the last two installments of the Fillies and Mares Open at the Spa, motored home around the final turn. Surreal Feeling would not be denied though and stopped the timer in 1:55 for her eleventh win of the season and eighth in the local feature. Chasethecloudsaway continued her streak of finishing first or second every week dating back to August when she ended up as the runner-up to Surreal Feeling while Birch Island Betty (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot for the third consecutive week in the Open. The exacta with the favorites running one-two paid $9.40 while the triple came back $56. Surreal Feeling, who is the clear favorite for Filly and Mare Pacer of the Year at Saratoga, is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton.
Live racing resumes on Sunday afternoon with a matinee starting at noon.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser
