Saratoga Springs, NY — Shezallapples A extended her winning streak in Thursday’s (May 23) installment of the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Shezallapples A (#5, red headgear) narrowly prevailed in Thursday’s top distaff pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

It wasn’t easy for the 6-year-old Sportswriter mare, but 6-5 favorite Shezallapples A would not be denied on the lead despite pacing her first quarter in :26.4 and half in :56.2. Bruce Aldrich Jr. asked the Jose Godinez trainee to again pick up the pace heading to three-quarters with a first-over rival closing in, and after trading strides throughout the final turn, Shezallapples found a second wind before being approached by a new pair of challengers in Spreester (Jimmy Devaux) and Coveredndiamonds N (Jay Randall). Shezallapples A won the photo which showed the top three separated by only a head. The six participants in the Open were all within two lengths of each other at the finish.

Shezallapples A’s win came in 1:53.4 and was the fifth in her last six starts and her second straight in the local Open. Coveredndiamonds N, who came charging down the center of the track, was just inches shy of the win and had to settle for second best, while Spreester was third up the passing lane in her return to the Open. The exacta and triple returned $23.80 and $110.00, respectively.

The victory was the third consecutive in the Thursday feature for Godinez, whose Westsluckycam prevailed the week before Shezallapples A rattled off her back-to-back featured wins.

Live racing resumes on Saturday night (May 25) at Saratoga with a first post time set for 6:45 p.m.