Sally Fletcher A was offensive minded from the get-go in Friday’s feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Bruce Aldrich Jr. powered the Jose Godinez-trained distaffer out to the early lead in the $14,500 Fillies and Mares Open and the speedy mare never stopped.
After posting a sizzling first quarter in :26.3 over the sloppy going, Sally Fletcher A did get a second quarter breather before reaching the half in :56.3. The seven-year-old distaffer then went pedal to the metal in the third panel as the race’s favourite came calling first-over. Sally Fletcher A posted a :27.2 third quarter before pacing off to win in 1:52.2, matching the fastest time of the year for a lady pacer at the Spa.
The track’s top mare in 2018 is Spreester (Frank Coppola Jr.) and that Paul Zabielski trainee nearly overcame her outside post on Friday as she finished second in the feature. Longshot Stylish Beachwhere (Jordan Derue) earned the show spot.
Sally Fletcher A was the second-choice in the wagering while going off at odds of 2-1. The exacta with Spreester second paid $30.60 while the triple returned $189.
The win was the second in the local feature in the career of Sally Fletcher A, who also scored in a December installment of the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga. The daughter of American Ideal is owned by Blindswitch Racing Stable.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 7:05 p.m. first post.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)