Saratoga Springs, NY – HS Shauna (Up Front Charlie) has established herself as one of the top claiming pacing mares at Saratoga Casino Hotel this summer and on Sunday (Aug. 20), she won her biggest race of the season to date.

HS Shauna was the winner of the Saratoga Sunday night feature. Jessica Hallett Photo.

The 8-year-old mare was a $10,000 claim last month by owner Mark Rowland for trainer Kyle Spagnola. HS Shauna had been thriving in the $10,000 claimers but, after switching connections, stepped up in class.

The veteran distaffer scored in a $15,000 claimer before moving up in company once again. After a second and a third-place finish upon stepping up again, HS Shauna drew the rail for Sunday’s try in the optional $20,000 claimer and drew the rail.

Driver Shawn Gray was content to sit the pocket in the $12,500 race, which saw first-half fractions of 26.4 and 56 seconds.

The leader, favored Rockabillycockshut (Luke Hanners), continued to roll along unopposed through three quarters in 1:23.4 and held the lead until the final strides when HS Shauna surged up the passing lane to come on and win by a head. Rockabillycockshut finished second while longshot Tipperary Hill (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot.

HS Shauna paid $10.60 to win and led an ($2) exacta and ($2) triple that returned $23.40 and $106.50, respectively. The victory, which was number eight on the season for HS Shauna, came in a seasonal best 1:52.4.

Live racing resumes on Friday evening (Aug. 25) at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.