Velocity Vespa scored impressively in Friday’s feature pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The six-year-old I Scoot Hanover mare was claimed last week by trainer Rich Banca and debuted in the $15,000 local Fillies and Mares Open on Friday night (July 29).
Velocity Vespa sped out to the lead in a sizzling opening quarter paced in :26.1 and didn’t back things down much cruising through a first half in :55.1. Rival Bazooka Terror (Billy Dobson) moved first over on the leader at the half and those two squared off throughout the final lap before Velocity Vespa hit the wire first in 1:52.1. Bazooka Terror battled gamely to be the runner-up in the Friday feature while the race’s favourite, So Nice (Mark Beckwith), had to settle for minor spoils finishing third.
Velocity Vespa, who was piloted on Friday night by Jimmy Devaux, won for the 12th time this year following a campaign in 2015 in which she scored 11 victories. She returned $7.10 to win and led an exacta and triple that paid $53 and $185, respectively.
Velocity Vespa is owned by Delegance Stable IX, T L P Stable, Carmen Iannacone, and The Gandolfo Stables.
(With files from Saratoga Raceway)