Godiva Seelster (Camluck) paced the fastest time of any mare this season at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Friday night.
The Dan Hennessey-trainee was the 6-5 public choice in the $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open and worked hard to secure the early lead.
Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey got the five year old mare to the front in a quick 27 second opening quarter but after a bit of a breather in the second quarter reached the half in 56.4. Pocket sitter So Nice (Bruce Aldrich Jr) took her shot at the favorite in the stretch but to no avail. Godiva Seelster stopped the timer in 1:52.2, the fastest time for a distaffer this year at the Spa and just a fifth of a second off the track record for aged pacing mares.
So Nice was a strong second while Her Own Land (Billy Dobson) closed for third.
It was the ninth victory on the season for Godiva Seelster who paid $4.60 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $15 and $40, respectively.
Live racing continues at Saratoga on Saturday night with a first post time set for 7:05pm.
Mike Sardella