Godiva Seelster has been one of the top pacing mares both at Pompano Park and at Saratoga Casino Hotel over the past few seasons.
While always consistent and productive, the Dan Hennessey-trained distaffer hasn’t necessarily been at her best since returning to the Spa in April. The seven-year-old daughter of Camluck had recorded just one victory in her eight local starts this year followed by a string of top-three finishes before going off as the 1-5 betting favourite in Friday night’s $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open.
Driver Wally Hennessey wasted little time putting the speedy mare on the engine and after flying through a first quarter in :26.4, Godiva Seelster got a second quarter in thirty seconds before pacing a back half of :55.4. The talented mare stopped the timer in 1:52.3 to record her fourth victory of the season and 43rd in 126 lifetime starts. So Nice (Jim Devaux) won the place photo with Tataria (Mark Beckwith) in the six-horse feature.
While she doesn’t own as high of a win percentage this season as she had in years past, Godiva Seelster has hit the board 11 of 15 seasonal starts and may be primed for a big summer at the Spa for owners Paul and Patricia O'Neil.
Live racing continues on Saturday night at Saratoga with a 6:45 p.m. first post.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)