Three-year-old pacing fillies were featured on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway as part of the New York Sire Stakes.
Locally-based Spreester (sired by American Ideal) scored a victory in her division of the $59,100 Sire Stakes behind a late surge with driver Jim Morrill Jr. in the sulky for trainer Paul Zabielski. Spreester continued her terrific stakes season with the 1:53.2 seasonal best victory on Saturday night.
The fastest winner of the three “big time” Sire Stakes races was Major Dancer (Art Major). Making her New York debut, the Casie Coleman-trained pacer came charging hard late before drawing away to win in 1:53.1 with Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey in the sulky. She is owned by the West Wins Stable of Cambridge, Ont., Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont. and Adriano Sorella of Milton, Ont.
The upset of the three stakes races came when Linda Toscano trainee Ken Doll J (Bettors Delight) survived a first over journey to prevail in 1:55.2 with Jimmy Whittemore in the bike. Ken Doll J was dismissed at odds of 9-1 for her first win of 2014.
Sire Stakes action returns to the Spa on Wednesday evening when three-year-old trotting fillies take center stage.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday night at Saratoga with first post time set for 7:05 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Raceway)