by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga, NY — Truth And Liberty (Total Truth) continues to dominate the competition in the Friday night (Nov. 17) Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Bob Lounsbury-trained mare was assigned post position eight for Friday’s try in the $19,500 feature after winning the Open three times in the last five weeks.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Truth And Liberty captures her 12th win of the season at Saratoga on Friday evening.

Driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. was patient while piloting the 5-year-old mare on Friday as they got away last in the eight-horse field of distaffers. Truth And Liberty got in gear approaching the half and wound up first-over once again this week- a trip that the razor sharp mare loves.

Front-running Wishy Washy Girl (Phil Fluet) fought gamely but proved to be no match for Truth And Liberty in the stretch as track’s sharpest mare went on to win in 1:54. Wishy Washy Girl was the runner-up while Bye Bye Michelle (Mark Beckwith) earned the show spot.

The win for Truth And Liberty was her 12th of the year as she has proven that her breakout 2016 campaign, in which she won 11 races, was no fluke. On Friday night, the winner was the 6-5 betting favorite despite the difficult post position. The exacta and triple paid $29.20 and $197.50, respectively.

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