Saratoga Springs, NY — Veteran reinsman Frank Coppola Jr. had a terrific Sunday afternoon (July 7) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. On the final Sunday card until Sept., Coppola piloted four winners on the matinee program.

Surreal Feeling captured the featured event at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday afternoon providing Coppola Jr. with one of his four wins on the day. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

After recording three wins in the day’s first four races, Coppola sat behind Surreal Feeling (So Surreal) who drew the rail for her first try in the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open. Dismissed at odds of 8-1, Surreal Feeling was undaunted and Coppola moved her out to the early lead in the feature for distaffers.

The 4-year-old mare posted fast fractions throughout, going a half in :56.1 before clicking off three quarters in 1:23.4. With the favorite, and fellow Yonkers invader, Oceania (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) closing in, Surreal Feeling shifted gears once again and powered away from her competition to win in 1:53.1.

Longshot Western Stepp (Jay Randall) came on late to be second while Oceania earned the show spot.

With Surreal Feeling paying $19.40 to win, the exotics returned big numbers. The exacta paid $110.50 and the triple came back $329.00 in the six-horse Open.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday afternoon at Saratoga. There is a Pick-Five carryover of $1,378 on Wednesday with first post time set for noon.