Accident mars Saratoga race

A severe acident occured in the second race pace at Saratoga Raceway Wednesday.

Lady Floquence and driver Samuel King were in fourth at the half mile marker when they moved first-over to challenge the race leaders. Then on the third turn Lady Floquence fell to the track. That caused a chain reaction with five horses interfered with and four horses falling to the track.

Harness racing driver Jay Randall was taken to the hospital with several injuries. The horses involved all eventually walked away from the incident. Since the race was declared a no contest, the Virginia O’Brien Memorial Pacing Series has now been postponed for two weeks and will start anew on May 26^th with the first of two legs that will lead up to the Final which will go for a purse of more than $30,000.

The $14,000 Fillies and Mares Open-Handicapped Pace was the harness racing feature Wednesday.

Driver Greg Merton picked up the catch-drive behind the Rob Harmon-trained Robyn Camden in the feature for distaffers after scheduled pilot Jay Randall was injured in a race two wreck.

Robyn Camden always thrives when she comes to town and the invading mare continued that trend as the race’s 1-5 betting favorite on Wednesday. Merton took Robyn Camden back early and she sat patiently in a first half that went in 57 seconds.

The six year old swung first-over past the half and unleashed an attack on the race’s front-running longshot before drawing away to win in 1:53.4. Surreal Feeling (Alek Chartrand) brought a three-race local win streak into the Open and made a late move after getting away last in the six-horse feature.

Behind a strong final quarter, Surreal Feeling finished as the runner-up to Robyn Camden.Thats Incredible (Brett Crawford) earned the show spot. Robyn Camden is now two-for-two in the local Open this season for her owner Jason Osullivan of Dublin, Ireland.

ROBYN CAMDEN REPLAY

Live racing resumes at Saratoga on Monday afternoon with first post set for noon.

For full race results, click here.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway