Saratoga Springs, NY — La Bella Vita N (Changeover) stayed red hot on a chilly afternoon at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday (Oct. 10). The Alicia Gray-trained distaffer overcame her outside post to win the $16,000 Fillies and Mares Open.

La Bella Vita N stopped the timer in 1:53.4. Melissa Simser photo.

Shawn Gray sat behind the 7-year-old as she won her third consecutive start on Monday. Bouncing back and forth between Saratoga and Plainridge this summer, La Bella Vita N powered out early from post seven in the seven-horse feature and although she had to work hard to post a :27 first quarter, the New Zealand invader got a big time breather in quarter two before reaching the half in :57.

Probert (Brett Beckwith) wound up first-over on the race’s favorite on Monday and although she tested her in the stretch, the chase proved futile. La Bella Vita N stopped the timer in 1:53.4 for her second victory in the local Open and her 10th win of the 2022 season. The even-money favorite led an exacta with Probert second that paid $19 while the triple, which was rounded out by Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson), returned $49.60.

La Bella Vita N is owned by Bowie Racing and Michael Goldberg Racing.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with first post set for 5 p.m.