by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga, NY — A familiar face made her return to town a winning one in Friday night’s (March 30) feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Spreester, who has been honored at the Spa for her endeavors, returned a winner on Friday.

Spreester (American Ideal) has been a top flight pacing mare in seasons past at the Spa but changed connections a few years back. The daughter of former Pacing Mare Of The Year Rodeo Spree, Spreester was the first horse in over a decade to be named the track’s 2- and 3-year-old Pacer of the Year in successive seasons; she achieved that feat in 2013 and 2014.

An Open winner as recently as the 2015 season, Spreester returned to the stable of Paul Zabielski this week and competed in Friday’s $12,000 Fillies and Mares Open. After getting away last in the seven-horse field, Spreester picked off distaffers one-by-one late in the mile before charging past her rivals to prevail in 1:54.

The fractions in the race were sizzling and after a first half that went in :55.1, the race’s leader began to tire. Spreester took advantage as she made her return to the Spa a winning one, upsetting at odds of 19-1

Ask Queenie (Jay Randall), who was part of the early speed duel, finished second while Mystical Nectar (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot.

Spreester, who was driven to victory by Frank Coppola Jr. led an exacta and triple that paid $356 and $2,187, respectively.

Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.