In what has been a dominant harness racing season for trainer Mark Beckwith at Saratoga Casino Hotel, the meet’s leading trainer recorded yet another victory in a Monday feature.
The veteran conditioner sent out his Arizona (Up The Credit) in the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open as he has done so many times this season.
The five year old Arizona drew post six in the six-horse feature for the ladies and Hennessey was content to get away toward the back of the pack on Monday. Landing fifth in the early going, Arizona made her move approaching the half-mile pole where the favorite The Pantheist A (Shawn Gray) traveled unopposed.
Arizona closed in a bit with every stride before eventually collaring the leader turning for home. The Beckwith trainee surged away from her rivals to score in 1:55 over a track labeled ‘sloppy.’ Laurie Lee (Jimmy Devaux) closed sharply to finish second to hit the board for the third consecutive time in the local Open while The Pantheist A held on for third.
ARIZONA REPLAY
Arizona’s victory was her sixth in the local Open this year, the most for any distaffer, and gave her trainer Mark Beckwith his eleventh win at the Spa in the Fillies and Mares Open in 2024. Hennessey, who has been on a complete tear in the last couple of months, won four more races on Monday’s matinee. Arizona was the 1-2 betting favorite as she recorded her tenth victory of the season and led an exacta and triple that paid $12 and $28.80, respectively. The winner is owned by Wendy Timpano.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with racing starting at 5pm.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway