Island Bouhinia A notched her first victory in the top distaff class at Saratoga Raceway as she tripped out to win the $22,603 Fillies and Mares Winners Over/Open Handicap Pace on Sunday, Feb. 15.
The seven-year-old mare drew the rail and had Jacob Cutting at the controls for her try in the feature. Island Bouhinia A sat the pocket in a race where pacesetter Twist Little Girl N (Justin Huckabone) sizzled through first-half fractions of :27.4 and :55.4. Last week’s Open winner, Waitforever N (Leon Bailey) pressed parked-out through the midway mark and to three-quarters in 1:24.2 before fading. At the top of the stretch, Island Bouhinia A found open road in the passing lane and began her charge up the rail, and the Amanda Kelley trainee got up in time to win it in by a head over Waitforever N in 1:55. Waitforever N continued her strong form to begin the 2026 season as she added another runner-up performance to go with last week’s Open victory. Longshot Perfect Queen (Matt Athearn) earned the show spot.
Island Bouhinia A came into Sunday’s feature having been the runner-up in the Fillies and Mares Open in three of her last five starts, dating back to last year. She is owned by Sartin Racing LLC and S&K Misfit Racing LLC. The seven-year-old daughter of Betting Line-Island Five Star is now 13-for-59 lifetime. She paid $5.56 to win.
Jacob Cutting piloted a pair of winners on the 12-race matinee card.
Live racing continues at Saratoga on Monday with a President’s Day matinee that begins at noon.
(With files from Saratoga Raceway)