Saratoga Springs, NY — Demeter N (Art Major) went coast-to-coast to score her first victory in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday afternoon (July 11).

Demeter N went coast-to-coast to score her first victory in the Fillies and Mares Open. Melissa Simser photo.

Larry Stalbaum trains and drives the 7-year-old distaffer after acquiring her last month. In Monday’s $16,000 feature, Demeter N powered out to the early lead as the race’s 4-5 betting favorite.

Demeter N paced a leisurely first half of :58 and then had plenty left to hold off a mild threat from pocket-sitting Shallow (Brian Cross) in the stretch. Last week’s Open winner Birch Island Betty had the daunting task of coming from last in a back-half that went in :55.4 before having to settle for third.

Demeter N’s 1:53.4 win time matched the seasonal-best clocking she set in April at Yonkers Raceway. The exacta with Shallow second paid $15.40 while the triple completed by Birch Island Betty returned $47.20. Demeter N is owned by Shark Racing Stable.

Live racing resumes on Friday evening starting at 6:45 p.m. as the summer portion of the racing schedule gets underway. That schedule consists of Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening racing with first posts set for 6:45 p.m. each night.