Aussie wins Open in U.S. debut

Magical Maya A (Bettor’s Delight) made her U.S.A. debut a winning one on Monday afternoon (Nov. 27) when she scored in the harness racing feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the five-year-old Aussie invader who used two winning qualifiers as preps for her local debut in Monday’s $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open.

Stalbaum settled in early with the mare who was the public’s 4-5 betting favorite in her first Spa try before completing a quarter-move in an opening panel paced in 29 seconds. Our Lady Lara A (Brett Beckwith) was on the lead when she was bypassed by the favorite who cruised unopposed through a half in 58.2 and three quarters in 1:26.4.

With out-of-towner Laurie Lee (Jimmy Devaux) in the midst of a late rally from off the pace and Our Lady Lara A lurking in the pocket, Magical Maya A was asked to crank up the speed around the final turn and her response was instant. The favorite reported home a length and a half winner in a mile clocked in 1:56.1 on a chilly late-November day in Saratoga Springs. Our Lady Lara A was the runner-up in the ladies’ feature while Laurie Lee finished third. The exacta in the five-horse Open paid $13.20 while the triple returned $27.

MAGICAL MAYA A REPLAY

Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon with a matinee that kicks off at noon.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway