A pair of rich distaffers squared off in Wednesday's (March 24) $7,200 pacing feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel, and 11-year-old veteran Certified Ideal added to her over $700,000 in career earnings with a 1:55.3 victory.
The daughter of Western Ideal won at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono 10 days ago, but followed that performance up with a disappointing ninth-place finish just this past Sunday. In her first Saratoga outing of the young season — off just two days' rest, no less — she powered to the early lead from post seven to set fast early fractions of :56 and 1:25.2. Though the pace slackened late, Certified Ideal finished the job in 1:55.3, sprinting away from a looming favourite Glenferrie Blade A by 2-1/4 lengths. Misty Memory N finished third.
Certified Ideal, whom Shawn Gray drove for trainer Sheena McElhiney, paid $26.80 to win in her second victory of the season. She now has won 41 races in her career.
Live racing at Saratoga resumes on Monday afternoon (March 29), with first post set for 12 noon.
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)