by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga, NY — Betabcool N (Bettor’s Delight) overcame her outside post to win the Fillies and Mares Open on Friday night (March 9) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Assigned post six in the six-horse feature, Betabcool N (Bruce Aldrich Jr) flashed early speed and got away in the pocket behind the favored Tempus Seelster (Billy Dobson). Tempus Seelster, whose local debut was a winning one in the $12,000 Open two weeks ago, cruised out to a big lead, setting first half fractions of :27.3 and :56.4 on Friday night.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Betabcool N wins the feature at Saratoga on Friday evening.

Despite pacing a third quarter in :27.4, Tempus Seelster couldn’t give Betabcool N the slip and wound up getting reeled in in the final strides by the Jose Godinez-trainee who stopped the timer in 1:53.4.

For Betabcool N, it was win number three on the season after the 8-year-old recorded two victories at Yonkers earlier in the campaign. Tempus Seelster was the runner-up while DW’sblissfulthinkn (Frank Coppola Jr) earned the show spot.

Aldrich piloted three winners on the night including two for Godinez as they teamed up with a victory with Sally Fletcher A (American Ideal). That 7-year-old distaffer won the local Open back in December as part of a hot streak she rode to wrap up her 2017 campaign and made her return to the Spa a winning one on Friday evening in a conditioned race.

Live racing continues on Saturday night with a first post time set for 6:45 p.m.