Huntressville A made her return to Saratoga Casino Hotel a winning one on Monday afternoon, Sept. 9, storming to a 1:55.3 victory in the $20,270 Open Mares Pace.
The Rob Harmon trainee has split her time between Tioga Down and Saratoga this season but following a victory in early June took a three-month break. The five-year-old Huntsville mare had two winning qualifiers as preps for her return in Monday's main event. Phil Fluet got the driving assignment and sat behind Huntressville A, who drew post position one for her return effort.
Dismissed at odds of 10-1, Huntressville A got away mid-pack in a feature with demanding fractions set as the distaffers went through a first quarter of :27.1 before heading past the half in :55.3. Huntressville A was first-over but began to thrive as the leader began to tire past three-quarters in 1:25.1. As the Harmon trainee was clearing the lead at the top of the stretch, a host of challengers began to swarm in for what would become a finish with seven mares separated by a total of three lengths at the wire.
When the dust settled, it was Huntressville A who emerged victorious to record her first-ever Open victory in a mile clocked in 1:55.3. Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson), who has yet to finish worse than second since July 1, finished second, while the favourite, Racin Hungry (Wally Hennessey), earned the show spot.
Huntressville A paid $23.80 for the upset win.
The mare is owned by Harmon Racing Stable, Diamond Racing Stable, Cusimano Stables and Carlo Angelillo.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)