Saratoga Springs, NY – Chasethecloudsaway (Sunshine Beach) was a winning machine in 2021 scoring an impressive 16 times over the course of the year. While most of the Chris Petrelli-trained mare’s victories took place at Monticello, the then 4-year-old did thrive at Saratoga Casino Hotel as well.

Chasethecloudsaway won his seasonal debut at Saratoga on Tuesday afternoon. Melissa Simser Photo.

A four-time winner of the local Fillies and Mares Open in ‘21, Chasethecloudsaway made her seasonal debut on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 15) with just one winning qualifier under her belt. Luke Hanners was the regular driver for the talented distaffer late last year and sat behind her for Tuesday’s try in the $15,000 feature.

Hanners flashed some early speed with the race’s 8-5 betting favorite but had to settle for fourth in the early going as Somebeachsomefra (Jimmy Devaux) set honest fractions on the front end. Chasethecloudsaway made her move just past the half and marched up first-over before grinding the leader into submission in the stretch and prevailing by three quarters of a length in a mile clocked in 1:56.1. Somebeachsomefra finished second while Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum), the runner-up in last week’s ladies’ Open, had to settle for third.

Chasethecloudsaway paid $5.50 to win and led an $2 exacta and $2 triple that returned $19.60 and $83.50, respectively. The trip to the winner’s circle in the feature was one of three consecutive on the card for young reinsman Luke Hanners who scored a natural hat trick on the matinee card.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening (Feb. 19) with a 13-race card set to begin at 5 p.m.