by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway

Saratoga, NY — Anja (Credit Winner) scored her second consecutive local win at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Thursday afternoon (April 13) in what was the first half of a double on the card for trainer Dave Dewhurst and driver Jimmy Devaux.

Michael Panzarino photo

Anja just missed establishing a new lifetime mark in Thursday’s Saratoga feature.

The 3-year-old filly, who showed promise as a freshman last year, set her lifetime mark two weeks ago at the Spa in a non-winners of two race lifetime trot. On Thursday, Anja was back in town to compete in a $7,500 race for New York-sired trotters after making a break in the Weiss at Pocono last week.

Devaux got a second-over journey for the sophomore filly who raced the majority of the mile on the outside. Anja trotted quickly in the stretch and powered away to win by a 1-1/2 lengths in 2:00.3, a time that is just a fifth of a second off of her lifetime mark.

Devaux and Dewhurst teamed up for a win later on the card with veteran trotter Choke Hold (Conway Hall) who came on late to prevail in 2:00. It was the first victory on the season for the 13-year-old highstepper, who has been a Dewhurst trainee for several years.

Live racing continues on Friday night (April 14) at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.