Saratoga Springs, NY — The track’s defending co-Horse of the Year Spreester (American Ideal) made it back to the top of the mountain on Thursday afternoon (June 27) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

A winner of eight Opens for fillies and mares in 2018, the Paul Zabielski trainee had gone through a drought in the feature that dated back to last August. On Thursday afternoon, Spreester drew the rail for her most recent try in the $15,000 Open for distaffers.

Spreester held off Sandy Sue by a head to prevail in 1:55. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

Driver Jimmy Devaux aggressively piloted her out to the early lead in a first quarter paced in :28. Spreester got a breather and reached the half in :57.4 and with the favored Sandy Sue (Billy Dobson) sitting in the pocket spot and two-time defending Open winner Osprey Blue Chip (Brett Crawford) rushing up first-over.

Spreester picked up the pace heading towards the 1:26.1 three-quarters. Sandy Sue wound up surging up the inside in the stretch but came up just shy of the win as Spreester held her off by a head to prevail in 1:55.

The victory was the third of the year for Spreester but the first in the Open since last August. With the earnings from the win, the 8-year-old veteran moved over the $800,000 mark for her career.

Sandy Sue was the runner-up while Foxy Dame N (Chris Long) wound up third after a disqualification of Osprey Blue Chip for causing interference in the stretch.

Spreester paid $4.40 to win as the race’s second-choice in the wagering while the exacta with the favorite second came back $10.40.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a 6:45 p.m. first post time. There will be a $2,654 carryover in the Pick-5 pool starting in race one.