Culinary Delight N came from well off the pace to record the win in Friday’s $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the eight-year-old New Zealand-bred daughter of Lis Mara, who drew post five in the six-horse feature on Friday.
Culinary Delight N got away fifth and sat patiently near the back of the pack as the race’s favourite, Clear Idea (Billy Dobson), was carving out the fractions. The 3-5 public choice in the wagering, Clear Idea didn’t face a challenge before checking in at three-quarters in 1:25.3 on a cold November night in Saratoga. Betabcool (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) was the first to move on the outside, coming out after the leader approaching three-quarters. Culinary Delight N picked up the cover of that rival and they began to close-in in tandem on Clear Idea around the final turn. Culinary Delight N came charging home and got by Clear Idea in the final strides before stopping the timer in 1:54.2 to record her second win in the local Fillies and Mares Open on the season.
Culinary Delight N paid $16 to win in the upset score and led an exacta with the favoured Clear Idea second that returned $41. Betabcool N earned the show spot and completed a $130.50 triple in the Open for distaffers.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)