Magical Maya A goes coast-to-coast in Saratoga feature

Magical Maya A (Bettor’s Delight) put in maybe the most impressive mile of the young harness racing season at Saratoga Casino Hotel when on Tuesday (Feb. 27) she went coast-to-coast in the matinee’s feature.

Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the six-year-old Aussie invader who hit the board in two of her first three starts in the local Fillies and Mares Open this year. On Tuesday, Stalbaum powered the 6-1 shot out in first-half fractions of 27.0 and 55.0 as longshot Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson) tracked the leader’s every move from the pocket.

The rest of the field in the $15,000 Open was strung out and Magical Maya A just never let up, pouring it on to lead past three quarters in a dazzling 1:22.4 before hanging on to win in 1:52.1. The speedy mare lowered her lifetime mark by close to three seconds in the victory that took place on a spring-like 60-degree afternoon in Saratoga.

Alittlesidehustl N was the runner-up at odds of 21-1 while Racy Roxy A (Jay Randall) came from a long way back to finish third.

MAGICAL MAYA A REPLAY

Magical Maya A paid $15.40 to win in the upset as she joined veteran distaffer Miss Irish Rose A as Stalbaum trainees to pull off surprises on Tuesday’s card. The twelve-year-old Miss Irish Rose A won for the first time this season while competing in a race for claiming filly and mare pacers. Stalbaum is the owner, trainer and driver for both of his stable’s Tuesday winners.

Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a first post time of 5pm.

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

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway