After having won 10 of 31 races last year at six for trainer Rene Allard, Eclipse Me N made her 2019 pari-mutuel debut on Thursday (April 4) at Saratoga Casino Hotel and she didn’t disappoint her backers.

Eclipse Me N, by Real Desire, prevailed in her 2019 debut while competing in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga on Thursday. The Allard trainee, enjoyed a $100,000+ campaign last season, debuted in the local feature off of a pair of Pocono qualifiers.

With leading driver Billy Dobson in the bike, Eclipse Me N got a second-over trip in the five-horse contest, as she followed the cover of the race’s favourite, Jewels Forreal.

Eclipse Me N, pictured victorious at Saratoga Casino Hotel on April 4, 2019

Betabcool N (who was driven by Bruce Aldrich Jr.) enjoyed a hassle-free first lap on the lead before being met with the challenge of the favourite approaching three quarters. Eclipse Me N fanned off her cover around the final turn and came on in the final strides to best Betabcool N and secure the victory in the $15,000 feature.

Betabcool N was the runner-up in the event, while Miss Irish Rose A earned the show spot. Eclipse Me N, who stopped the timer in 1:54.4, paid $7.70 to win and led an exacta that returned $30.

There will be a Pick Five carryover of $3,061 for Saturday’s card at Saratoga and the Pick Five will begin in Race 1. First post time is set for 6:45 p.m.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)