Sea Shadows overcame the outermost post to take the $16,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday night (Sept. 4).
The Melissa Beckwith trainee drew post seven in the seven-horse Open, but driver Brett Beckwith was undaunted by the post draw and marched the classy mare out to the early lead. The seven-year-old Shadow Play mare paid a stiff price to get to the engine, posting a first quarter in :27.4 before reaching the half in :56.2 while traveling unopposed once she got to the front. Sea Shadows saw very little pressure before turning for home with a commanding lead. Pocket-sitter Demeter N put in a solid effort to be second but was no match for the favoured Sea Shadows who paced away to stop the timer in 1:53.2 for her second-consecutive win in the Fillies and Mares Open and fifth score since coming to town in early June. The race’s longshot Unstoppable Hall earned the show spot.
For Sea Shadows and her owner Paul O’Neil of Saratoga Springs, it was victory No. 12 on the season, which put her over the $100,000 mark in earnings this year. The exacta with the 3-5 betting favorite on top paid $7.60 while the triple came back $64.50. Sea Shadows’ five Open wins ties her with Chasethecloudsaway for most among fillies and mares.
Live racing resumes on Friday evening (Sept. 9) with a first post time set for 5 p.m. (EDT). The post-Labour day schedule for the month of September will include Friday and Saturday evening racing at 5 p.m. while Sunday and Monday matinees begin at 12 p.m.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)