Arizona Dominates Saratoga Distaffers Once Again

Trainer Mark Beckwith continued his stellar season at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday, October 14, sending Arizona, a Canadian-owned mare, to victory in the $20,548 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Beckwith, the meet's leading trainer, has seen numerous wins this season, and Arizona’s triumph added to his impressive tally.

Starting from post six in the six-horse field, Arizona, driven by Wally Hennessey, settled near the back early on. Positioned in fifth place, she made her move approaching the half-mile mark, gaining ground on the leader, The Pantheist A (Shawn Gray), who had controlled the race unchallenged. Arizona steadily closed the gap and overtook the favourite as they turned for home, pulling ahead to win decisively in 1:55 over a 'sloppy' track. Laurie Lee (Jimmy Devaux) finished strong in second, marking her third straight top-three finish in the local Open, while The Pantheist A held on for third.

This victory marked Arizona’s sixth win in the Mares Open at Saratoga this year, the highest for any mare, and gave Beckwith his 11th win in this class for the season. Owned by Wendy Warren Timpano of Campbellville, Ontario, the five-year-old Up The Credit-Jo And Maria mare was the 1-2 betting favourite and notched her 10th victory from 26 starts this year. The exacta and triple paid $12 and $28.80, respectively.

Driver Wally Hennessey, who has been in exceptional form lately, secured four more wins during Monday’s matinee. Live harness racing returns to Saratoga on Saturday evening, with the first race starting at 5 p.m.