After prevailing in her first appearance in the local Open, the Ontario-owned Tempus Seelster finished second in back-to-back tries in the $12,000 feature for fillies and mares at Saratoga Casino Hotel heading into Friday night.

The Heidi Rohr trainee was the public’s even-money favourite in the five-horse Open for distaffers and driver Billy Dobson piloted the mare aggressively to the lead approaching the half. Powering past major danger Glenferrie Bronte N, Tempus Seelster opened up a big lead at the head of the stretch before scoring in 1:53.3. Mystical Nectar (Jim Devaux) finished second in her first crack at the local Open while longshot Mydelight Bluechip (Ben McNeil) earned the show spot.

Tempus Seelster’s win was one of four on the night for the meet’s leading driver Billy Dobson.

The five-year-old Big Jim mare is owned by Holland Racing Stable of Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ont.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)