Velocity Vespa went coast to coast to capture the Friday (September 23) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

After being claimed in July, the new Rich Banca trainee Velocity Vespa rattled off three consecutive wins in the Fillies and Mares Open at the Spa. The last of those victories on August 12 was timed in a dazzling 1:51.3, a track record for a pacing mare at the Spa.

After a trip to Yonkers Raceway, the six-year-old daughter of I Scoot Hanover didn’t factor in last week’s local Open despite being the odds-on favourite, but returned to the Saratoga winner’s circle after going coast to coast in Friday’s $16,000 feature.

So Nice (Mark Beckwith) sat the pocket and finished second while Super Soph (Frank Coppola Jr.) earned the show spot.

Velocity Vespa’s 16th win of the season was over a sloppy track in 1:53.4 on Friday night.

Returning $4.90 to win, Velocity Vespa, who was driven to victory by Jimmy Devaux, led an exacta and triple that came back $15.20 and $77.50, respectively.

She is owned by Delegance Stable IX, T L P Stable, Carmen Iannacone, and The Gandolfo Stables.

(With files from Saratoga)