Saratoga, NY – So Nice (Ponder) is a bridesmaid no more in the feature at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.
The five year old pacing mare was the runner up in two straight tries in the Fillies and Mares Open at the Spa heading into Friday's try in the $18,000 feature.
Austin Siegelman piloted So Nice and moved her out to the early lead before giving way to rival Godiva Seelster (Wally Hennessey) who sped past in an opening quarter of 26.4. So Nice, who wound up second best to Godiva Seelster in each of the last two Opens, would not be denied on Friday night and got up to win by a neck in 1:53.
Carolsideal (Billy Dobson), the race's co-favorite with So Nice at odds of 8-5, came up second best while Godiva Seelster had to settle for third. For the Amber Buter-trained So Nice, it was victory number three on the season and extended her streak of hitting the board to eight in a row.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with first post time set for 7:05pm.
by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway