Always Watching returns to Saratoga full force

2023’s Horse of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel recorded her first win of the ’24 harness racing season on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 20). Jordan Derue owns, trains and drives pacing mare Always Watching (He’s Watching) who was a total force last year winning ten times, nine of which came in the local Fillies and Mares Open.

Always Watching drew poorly for her first two starts back in ’24 and didn’t prove to be a factor in either of the tries but on Tuesday, Derue’s stable star drew post three for her start in the $15,000 feature which saw her capture the early lead. The six-year-old distaffer cruised through first half fractions of 27.4 and 57.2 while bracing for race favorite Probert (Brett Beckwith). Probert owned a first and second place finish in her two local starts in the Open this year but came up a bit short of tracking down Always Watching and recording another feature score.

Always Watching held on to prevail in 1:54.3 to register her first win of the year.

Paying $8.30 to win as the second choice in the wagering, Always Watching led an exacta with Probert second that returned $28.80 while Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson) completed a $252 triple.

ALWAYS WATCHING REPLAY

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 5pm.

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

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway