by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway

Saratoga, NY —- My Tweed Heart (Manhardt) scored her first win in the local feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Friday night (April 21). Making just her second start at the Spa, the Kyle Spagnola-trained 4-year-old had to work hard every step of the way on Friday night as she was pressured throughout the mile.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

My Tweed Heart visits the winner’s circle for the first time at Saratoga on Friday evening.

My Tweed Heart put up sizzling fractions of :27.1 and :55 in the first half while parking out last week’s Open winner Little Santamonica. The race’s favorite Her Own Land (Mark Beckwith) made a three-wide move and drew alongside My Tweed Heart before those two had a tug of war throughout the final quarter of the mile paced in 1:53.2.

My Tweed Heart held on to win by a neck and returned $7.00 to win in the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open. The exacta with the favorite second paid $15.20 while the triple with Albany Girl (Stephane Bouchard) third came back $46.80. My Tweed Heart was driven to victory by Frank Coppola Jr.

Live racing continues on Saturday night (April 22) at Saratoga with a first post set for 6:45 p.m.