by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga Springs, NY — Culinary Delight N (Lis Mara) flirted with a win a couple of times in her three local starts heading into Friday night (July 6) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Kim Asher-trained distaffer finished second in last week’s Fillies and Mares Open and was the public’s second choice in the wagering on Friday night in the $14,500 feature.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Culinary Delight N came on to win in 1:52.2 on Friday.

Larry Stalbaum pilots the 8-year-old mare who got away third in the seven-horse Open. With the favored Lady Shadow (Wally Hennessey) on the front end looking to go back-to-back in the ladies’ feature, Culinary Delight N sat patiently in third before powering to the outside approaching the three-quarter pole and cruising past the odds-on favorite at the top of the stretch.

Culinary Delight N came on to win in 1:52.2 on Friday, drawing away from Lady Shadow who had to settle for second. Spreester continued her lengthy stretch of finishing in the money as she earned the show spot after coming from last in the Open.

Culinary Delight N returned $6.50 to win and led an exacta and triple that paid $17.80 and $53, respectively. The win time was the second fastest of the season for any pacing mare at the Spa.

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