Triumphant return to the Spa for Aussie mare

The Pantheist A (Bettor’s Delight) made her harness racing return to Saratoga Casino Hotel a winning one on Friday evening (Aug. 2).

Alicia Gray trains the eight-year-old mare who is no stranger to the Spa but has spent much of her season racing at Plainridge Park. Following a trio of tries in the Plainridge feature, The Pantheist A wound up as the 5-2 second choice in the wagering in the Fillies and Mares Open contested on Friday.

Shawn Gray didn’t waste any time in sending the veteran mare out to the early lead as The Pantheist A cruised unopposed through first-half fractions of :27.3 and :57.1.

Pocket-sitting Alittlesidehustl N(Billy Dobson) took her shot at the leader in the stretch but wound up coming up second-best to The Pantheist A who was a decisive length and a half winner. Longshot Dark Eclipse N finished third in a mile

THE PANTHEIST A REPLAY

The Pantheist A paid $7.80 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $25.80 and $294, respectively. The win was the fourth in sixteen seasonal starts for The Pantheist A who is owned by Doug Overhiser of New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Live racing continues on Saturday evening with a first post time set for 5:00 pm.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway