“Betty” dukes it out with Demeter at The Spa

It may have had just five starters in the field, but the $16,000 Open-Handicap Pace for Fillies and Mares at Saratoga Raceway Sunday turned out to be a slugfest right down to the wire.

The 6^th race feature began with race favorite Dashintothebeach N (Jim Devaux) taking early command with Demeter N (Larry Stalbaum) grabbing the two-hole seat to the first quarter in :27.3.

No one pulled on the right line as they remained single file past the half mile marker in :58 and then the action began to heat up. Driver Billy Dobson came charging first-over with Birch Island Betty (Big Jim) and they shot to the lead past the three quarters in 1:26. Following his move to remain in second place was Demeter N.

Birch Island Betty held a one and one-quarter length lead at the top of the stretch as Demeter N came charging after the rival down the stretch and nearly got there, losing to Birch Island Betty by a head in 1:54. Shallow (Brian Cross) was third.

BIRCH ISLAND BETTY

For Birch Island Betty, this was her fourth win of the season for trainer Eve Bergeron and she paid $5.50. She is owned by Dany Grenier of Quebec.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink