by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga

Saratoga, NY — Riverofroyalty set a new lifetime mark in Thursday’s (Dec. 8) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Dave Spagnola trained 3-year-old is enjoying a solid season in which she has now prevailed five times.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Riverofroyalty rolls to a new speed badge of 1:58.2 at Saratoga on Thursday night.

Riverofroyalty was the 8-5 betting favorite in the $9,950 featured race for New York sired trotters and moved first over on Starlingmoon (Billy Dobson) who rode a three-race win streak into Thursday’s tilt. Riverofroyalty powered past that rival, but was met with a late challenge from longshot Gotalottacredit (Jim Devaux), who wound up coming up second best while Starlingmoon held on for third.

Riverofroyalty’s fifth career victory came in 1:58.2 to give her a new lifetime mark. The filly was piloted to the win by Frank Coppola Jr. who is now less than two weeks away from securing his 11th driving title at Saratoga.

Live racing continues on Friday night (Dec. 9) at the Spa with a first post time set for 6:45 p.m.