Invader Milieu Hanover made her Saratoga Casino Hotel debut a winning one in Monday’s featured $17,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace.
Nick Devita trains the five-year-old Betting Line miss, who came into her try in the Mares Open a winner of back-to-back races at Plainridge Park, but after being off close to a month.
Milieu Hanover came from the back of a condensed pack of six distaffers on Monday and driver Brett Beckwith tipped her to the far outside past the three-quarter pole. The out-of-towner came charging home in the stretch and drew away to prevail by 2-1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:54.
The third consecutive win for Milieu Hanover was her fifth on the season in 10 starts.
The Open winner returned $9 to her backers as she bested the favoured Our Lady Lara A (Jimmy Devaux), who brought a six-race undefeated local streak into the Monday feature but had to settle for second. Always Watching (Jordan Derue) earned the show spot. The exacta and triple came back $20.40 and $84.50, respectively.
Milieu Hanover is owned in partnership by David Hamm, Christopher Giaccio and Devita Racing Stable Inc.
Live harness racing will resume on Saturday evening at Saratoga and will feature a carryover of $3,917 in the early Pick 5. The Pick 5 begins in Saturday’s first race, which is set for 5 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga)