The $10,000 claim on Always Mindy continues to pay off for owner Greg Gardiner as the James McAssey trainee scored a victory in the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on closing day at Saratoga Casino Hotel Tuesday (Nov. 24).

In a race filled with early speed, Always Mindy sat back patiently in a first lap that went in :55.2. The big favourite Racine Bell was on the engine as she sought her third-consecutive win in the local Open. But the fractions took their toll on the public’s odds-on choice, and Always Mindy surged past her in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:53.4. Racine Bell was second while Come Get The Cash finished third.

Always Mindy paid $17.80 in the Open upset and led an exacta and triple that came back $33.20 and $131, respectively. Shawn Gray sat in the sulky.

Before the race card began, Billy Dobson and Gary Levine were awarded plaques in the winner’s circle in recognition of their achievements as leading driver and trainer, respectively, for the 2020 campaign. For Dobson, it was his eighth local driving title while Levine took home the training title for the first time in his career. Racing is set to resume at Saratoga in early March of 2021.

(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)