One Over Par made her local debut a memorable one on Friday night (November 3) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Don Billings trainee was the longest shot on the board in the $19,500 Fillies and Mares Open, but raced like she was the favourite. Clifton Green's five-year-old distaffer, sired by Dragon Again, moved out to the early lead and after a fast first quarter in :27.3 got a bit of a second quarter breather. One Over Par was then met with the challenge of the race’s odds-on favourite, who was quickly dispatched by the invader who powered away late to win in 1:53.3 on a chilly night in the Spa City. Its A Miracle (Frank Coppola Jr.) closed up the inside to be second while last week’s Open winner Truth And Liberty (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) earned the show spot.
One Over Par was dismissed at odds of 41-1 and became the biggest longshot to win an Open at Saratoga this season. Returning $85.50 to win, One Over Par led an exacta and triple that paid $397 and $2,235, respectively.
One Over Par’s driver Jimmy Devaux piloted three winners on the night.
Live racing continues on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.
(With files from Saratoga)