Quick Draft A prevails in Open

Quick Draft A (Art Major) prevailed in the Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel on a beautiful harness racing Thursday afternoon in the Spa City.

The Australian-bred mare was making her local debut and just her third start in the U.S. and went off as the co-favorite at even money in the $12,000 feature.

Driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. moved her aggressively to the lead and the seven year old distaffer clicked off an opening quarter of a sizzling 26.4.

Quick Draft A continued to pace quickly through the middle half and after checking in at three quarters in 1:24 had enough left to secure a length victory over Annabeth (Mark Beckwith).

The track's defending Pacing Mare of the Year So Nice (Billy Dobson) was co-favored with the winner but had to settle for third in her return to the Spa.

The win time of 1:53 easily served as a new lifetime mark for Quick Draft A who is owned by the Blindswitch Racing Stable and trained by Al Annunziata.

Live racing resumes on Sunday afternoon with a matinee set to kick off at 12:15pm.

Mike Sardella