Drawing better did the trick for Alittlesidehustl N in the top class for pacing mares at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Tuesday, July 15.
Alittlesidehustl N has been the solid force in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga over the last couple of years. The Jackie Greene trainee has consistently hit the board in her starts against the track’s top distaffers in the last few seasons, and on Tuesday she left from post inside the six for just the third time in 16 local starts this year while facing six rivals in the $21,918 Open Pace,
Each time she's had a post position inside post six in the Open this year, Alittlesidehustl N has emerged victorious.
Billy Dobson set sail early with Alittlesidehustl N was cruised out to the lead in a 27.3 first quarter — looped briefly by longshot Jive Dancing A (Jimmy Devaux) — before trying to back it down a bit reaching the half in 56.4. The favourite Arizona (Wally Hennessey) revved up the engine from the back of the pack but had a long climb to try and reach Alittlesidehustl N who rattled off three quarters in 1:24.4. Arizona got to within about a length of the lead before Alittlesidehustl N went pedal to the metal and expanded her lead around the final turn before pacing out to win in 1:53.1 by four lengths. Jive Dancing A (Jimmy Devaux) sat the pocket to the winner and finished as the runner-up in the Open for the second consecutive week while Arizona earned the show spot.
Alittlesidehustl N’s win was her fifth of the campaign and came in a seasonal-best clocking of 1:53.1 for owners Kellogg Racing and Jackie Greene Stables. As the 8-5 second choice in the wagering, the daughter of Hes Watching paid $5.40 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $41.60 and $75.50, respectively.
In the finale, Rockin Withelvis A picked up his first win since May 2023 and provided owner Kalie Fluet of Fort Edward, N.Y. her first career training win in her 14th attempt. Fluet, 23, started training earlier this year.
Live harness racing resumes on Saturday, July 19 with a star-studded 14-race program highlighted by the $250,000 USD Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace. First post time is 6:45 p.m. on Saturday.
(with files from Saratoga)