West Liberty prevailed in the $9,500 Friday feature for fillies and mares at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Following a second-place finish last week when dismissed at odds of 12-1, West Liberty again received little backing by the betting public on Friday night when she wound up getting away fourth in the five-horse feature for distaffers. Driver Jimmy Devaux activated the Bruce Bentley-trained mare heading towards three-quarters and West Liberty surged right past the race’s favourite, Her Own Land (Mark Beckwith).
West Liberty, who paid $22 to win, stopped the timer in 1:53.3, the fastest win time of the year for the six-year-old mare. Sometimes Graceful (Wally Hennessey) came on for second as she hit the board for the fifth consecutive time in the class while Her Own Land had to settle for third.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 7:05 p.m. first post.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)