A runner-up in last week’s $22,603 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Waitforever N was assigned the outside post for her Monday, Feb. 9 try and the daughter of American Ideal-Waitfornoone pulled off the upset.
Driven by Leon Bailey, the nine-year-old Brett Derue trainee got away last in the six-horse feature as fast fractions were being set up front by the race’s favourite Soft Shot (Kyle Swift). Soft Shot cruised through first-half fractions of :27 and :56.3 before being met with the challenge of longshot Waitforever N past three-quarters in 1:25.3. The favourite tired a bit late and 18-1 shot Waitforever N just kept plugging away. The Derue trainee would not be denied and stopped the timer in 1:55 to record the upset win. Island Bouhinia A (Jacob Cutting) sat the pocket to the favourite before cruising past her in the stretch to finish second while Soft Shot had to settle for third in the Open for the second consecutive week.
Waitforever N, who was an eight-time winner in 2025, is owned by Derue along with Stephen Picarazzi of Saratoga Springs, New York and Darreyl Bullard of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The mare now boasts 35 career wins and earnings totalling $516,279.
Brett Beckwith drove five winners on the 12-race matinee card.
Live harness racing continues on Tuesday, Feb. 10 with first post time set for 12 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)