Surreal Feeling brought her talents back to Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night (Aug. 22), and the pacing mare who has made winning a habit at the Spa added another victory to her collection in the evening’s $15,000 co-feature.
The Dale Lawton-trained distaffer was the 1-5 betting favourite in the Fillies and Mares Open. Driver Alek Chartrand moved Surreal Feeling out early, but had to settle into fourth position in the six-horse co-feature before pulling her first-over approaching the half mile pole. The six-year-old mare took it from there and, despite racing overland in a :27.3 third quarter, powered past the leader before drawing away in the stretch to win by a measured length and a quarter in 1:53.3. Thats Incredible finished second while Pammy Jo earned the show spot.
Earlier this season, Surreal Feeling put in a track record-matching performance as she scored in a dazzling 1:51.3 to tie the previous mark for fastest of any aged pacing mare in the 80 year history of racing at Saratoga.
Surreal Feeling, who is co-owned by Chris Lawton and her trainer Dale Lawton, has hit the board in all nineteen of her starts this year in what has been a masterful campaign for the talented mare.
The $15,000 Open Pace for the boys went to Crockets Cullen N, who scored for the third time in his last four starts in the feature for colts and geldings.
The 10-year-old veteran went coast-to-coast last Saturday (Aug. 14) and had little difficulty doing the same in this weekend’s installment of the Open Pace as he overcame a :26.4 first quarter on the lead to prevail in 1:52.2 for owner-trainer-driver Larry Stalbaum. Quagmire Bluechip was the runner-up in the Saturday co-feature while Odds On Brexit earned the show spot in his Open debut.
The exacta and triple with the 9-5 second-choice in the wagering on top paid $35.40 and $116.50, respectively. The win was one of three on the night for Stalbaum as both a trainer and driver as his Itsonlyrocknroll A and Union Station also secured Saturday scores.
Live racing resumes on Monday afternoon (Aug. 23) with a matinee beginning at 12 p.m. (EDT).
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)