New Zealand invader Wahs Fire Bug N (Mach Three) has finished first or second in each of her starts since coming to the U.S. late last year. Amanda Kelley trains the eight year old mare who is establishing herself as one of the top mares at Saratoga Casino Hotel and on Tuesday, the talented distaffer recorded her first Open win. She left from post seven and made a pretty easy lead in the $18,200 Fillies and Mares Open but set quick fractions of 27.1 and 56.2 in lap one. The Kelley trainee expanded her lead to an insurmountable one heading towards the three quarter pole before cruising away to score in 1:55 by almost four lengths. Alittlesidehustl N (Jay Randall) closed well to be second in her seasonal debut while last week’s Open runner-up Demeter N (Matt Athearn) earned the show spot on Tuesday. Wahs Fire Bug N, the 1-2 public choice, led an exacta and triple that paid $45.60 and $405, respectively. The win in the feature was one of two on the day for Kelley who teamed up with Devaux for a victory with Nevada Rock who scored in her Spa debut. Devaux piloted five winners on the card in total. Wahs Fire Bug N is owned by the S&K Misfit Racing Stable of Greenfield Center, NY.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a first post time set for 5pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Jessica Hallett
Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, New York
