Saratoga Springs, NY — The Pantheist A (Bettor’s Delight) made her return to Saratoga Casino Hotel a winning one on Friday evening (Aug. 2).
Alicia Gray trains the 8-year-old mare who is no stranger to the Spa but has spent much of her season racing at Plainridge Park. Following a trio of tries in the Plainridge feature, The Pantheist A wound up as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering in the Fillies and Mares Open contested on Friday at Saratoga.
Shawn Gray didn’t waste any time in sending the veteran mare out to the early lead as The Pantheist A cruised unopposed through first-half fractions of :27.3 and :57.1. Pocket-sitting Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson) took her shot at the leader in the stretch but wound up second-best to The Pantheist A who was a decisive 1-1/2 length winner. Longshot Dark Eclipse N finished third in a mile clocked in 1:53.3.
The Pantheist A paid $7.80 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $25.80 and $294, respectively.
The win was the fourth in 16 seasonal starts for The Pantheist A who is owned by Doug Overhiser.
Live racing continues on Saturday evening with a first post time set for 5 p.m.