The last time So Nice competed at Saratoga Casino and Raceway last December, the Amber Buter trainee tied the all-age track record for distaff pacers at the Spa with an impressive 1:52 victory. In her return to Saratoga on Friday night, So Nice had to contend with post position seven in the 1-1/16 mile Winners Over Handicap for fillies and mares.

Mark Beckwith fired So Nice out at the start of the $11,000 feature and situated the classy mare into the pocket behind the race’s second favourite Keene Olivia. After a sizzling first half put up in :55.4, the leader began to fade and So Nice evacuated the pocket before surging to the lead and stopping the timer in 2:01 for the 1-1/16 distance. Bettorhaveanother (Frank Coppola Jr.) closed for second in her first start since October while Jennas Patriot (Shawn Gray) earned the show spot.

So Nice was the race’s 9-5 betting favourite and led an exacta and triple that returned $23.80 and $93, respectively.

The six-year-old Ponder mare is owned by Gene Oldford Farms LLC, Stephen Oldford, and Tyler Buter.

(With files from Saratoga Raceway)