Ex Kiwi mare upsets at Saratoga

Waitforever N (American Ideal) sprung the harness racing upset in the Monday feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The runner-up in last week’s Fillies and Mares Open, Waitforever N drew the outside post for her Monday try in the $16,500 ladies’ Open.

The nine year old Brett Derue trainee got away last in the six-horse feature as fast fractions were being set up front by the race’s favorite Soft Shot (Kyle Swift). Soft Shot cruised through first-half fractions of 27 and 56.3 before being met with the challenge of longshot Waitforever N past three quarters in 1:25.3.

The favorite tired a bit late and 18-1 shot Waitforever N just kept plugging away. The Derue trainee would not be denied and stopped the timer in 1:55 to record the upset win. Island Bouhinia A (Jacob Cutting) sat the pocket to the favorite before cruising past her in the stretch to finish second while Soft Shot had to settle for third in the Open for the second consecutive week.

WAITFOREVER N REPLAY

Waitforever N, who was an eight-time winner in 2025, is owned by Picarazzi, Bullard and her trainer Brett Derue and was piloted to the Monday score by Leon Bailey. The matinee card saw reinsman Brett Beckwith pilot five winners. 

Live racing continues on Tuesday with first post time set for 12pm.  

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

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway