Anja (Credit Winner) scored her second consecutive local win at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Thursday afternoon in what was the first half of a double on the harness racing card for trainer Dave Dewhurst and driver Jimmy Devaux.
The three year old filly, who showed promise as a freshman last year, set her lifetime mark two weeks ago at the Spa in a non-winners of two race lifetime trot. On Thursday, Anja was back in town to compete in a $7,500 race for New York sired trotters after making a break in the Weiss at Pocono last week.
Devaux got a second-over journey for the sophomore filly who raced the majority of the mile on the outside.
Anja trotted quickly in the stretch and powered away to win by a length and a half in 2:00.3, a time that is just a fifth of a second off of her lifetime mark.
Devaux and Dewhurst teamed up for a win later on the card with veteran trotter Choke Hold (Conway Hall) who came on late to prevail in 2:00.
It was the first victory on the season for the thirteen year old highstepper who has been a Dewhurst trainee for several years.
Live racing continues on Friday night at Saratoga with a 6:45pm first post.
Mike Sardella
