Saratoga Springs, NY — Culinary Delight N (Lis Mara) came from well off the pace to record the win in Friday’s (Nov. 23) $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Culinary Delight N came charging home and got by Clear Idea in the final strides before stopping the timer in 1:54.2. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the 8-year-old New Zealand bred who drew post five in the six-horse feature on Friday.

Culinary Delight N got away fifth and sat patiently near the back of the pack as the race’s favorite, Clear Idea (Billy Dobson), was carving out the fractions. The race’s 3-5 public choice in the wagering, Clear Idea didn’t face a challenge before checking in at three-quarters in 1:25.3 on a cold November night in Saratoga.

Betabcool N (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) was the first to move on the outside, coming out after the leader approaching three- quarters. Culinary Delight N picked up the cover of that rival and they began to close in tandem on Clear Idea around the final turn.

Culinary Delight N came charging home and got by Clear Idea in the final strides before stopping the timer in 1:54.2 to record her second win in the local Fillies and Mares Open on the season.

Culinary Delight N paid $16.60 to win in the upset score and led an exacta with the favored Clear Idea second that returned $41.00. Betabcool N earned the show spot and completed a $130.50 triple in the Open for distaffers.

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