With no Open on the docket, the $12,500 Winners Over for fillies and mares was the feature on Friday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Bontz N (sired by American Ideal) was making her local debut for trainer Gary Levine as she went off as the public’s 1-5 betting favourite in the Friday feature.
The New Zealand invader was coming off a decisive victory at Yonkers and once again was pointed out to the front-end in her local debut. Bontz N got a second-quarter breather after clicking off a first quarter of :27.4 before the favourite got her first test as she led the charge to three-quarters, a challenge that came from Come Get The Cash (Jay Randall). The long first-over journey for Come Get The Cash resulted in a second-place finish as Bontz N paced home in :27.2 to stop the timer in 1:53.3 while prevailing in her first start at the Spa. Come Get The Cash was a strong second while Poppy Drayton N (Bruce Aldrich Jr) earned the show spot.
Bontz N paid just $2.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $14.60 and $25.40, respectively.
Leading driver Billy Dobson piloted Bontz N to her victory in the feature for trainer Gary Levine and owner April Aldrich.
Live racing continues on Saturday night with a first time set for 7:05 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)