Saratoga Raceway's 2023 champion mare triumphs in the opening victory of the 2024 Season.
The distinguished mare, Always Watching, hailed as Saratoga Raceway's Horse of the Year in 2023, stormed into the new season with a resounding triumph on Tuesday afternoon, February 20.
Under the ownership, training, and skilful driving of Jordan Derue, Always Watching has been a dominant force since last year, clinching victory an impressive 10 times, with nine of these triumphs achieved in the fiercely contested Fillies and Mares Open Handicap races at the local arena.
Despite an initial setback in her first two outings of the 2024 campaign due to unfavourable draws, Derue's prized asset finally found her stride on Tuesday. Assigned post three for the prestigious $20,270 feature event, the Ontario-bred mare swiftly assumed the lead. With a blend of precision and power, the six-year-old distaffer by Hes Watching paced through the initial sections in :27.4 and :57.2, facing off against the formidable Probert, the popular choice for the race under the guidance of Brett Beckwith.
Probert, boasting a commendable record with a first and second-place finish in her recent local appearances, fell just short in her pursuit of Always Watching, who gallantly crossed the finish line first in a time of 1:54.3, marking her maiden victory of the season.
Priced at $8.30 to win as the second favourite in the wagering, Always Watching led the charge, securing an exacta with Probert finishing second, resulting in a rewarding return of $28.80. Meanwhile, the impressive Alittlesidehustl N, steered by Billy Dobson, completed a lucrative $252 triple.
With an outstanding career tally of 27 wins, Always Watching has now amassed an impressive lifetime earnings figure of $286,676, cementing her status as a true champion on the track.