Driver Billy Dobson had a big day on Tuesday, April 16 at Saratoga Casino Hotel as he piloted five winners on the afternoon's 13-race card, including three for trainer Jaymes McAssey.
Among his wins, Dobson took the day's featured $15,753 conditioned/optional claiming allowance pace for fillies and mares with the Andy Sardella-trained Truly. The daughter of Sweet Lou was the public’s even-money betting favourite in the race after drawing post two and adding Lasix for the try. Dobson wasted little time moving to the front in the feature with the five-year-old mare. Truly clicked off a fast :27.2 first panel before backing it down some and reaching the half in :57.2. After passing three-quarters in 1:26.1, the favourite’s main threat came in the stretch when pocket-sitting Luck B Mine (Mcgwire Sowers) closed up the inside. The chase proved futile as Truly stopped the timer in 1:55 for her fifth win in nine seasonal starts.
Truly paid $4.30 to win. Luck B Mine completed an exacta that paid $26.60 while longshot HS Shauna (Jordan Derue) earned the show spot and rounded out a $701 triple.
Truly was claimed last month at Saratoga by her current owners, Mike and Bill Pozefsky of New York. She now has 13 career wins and nearly $125,000 in lifetime earnings.
Dobson teamed up with McAssey for wins with Miss Contour ($4), Got Beach Body ($2.40) and Lady Devine ($3.10). He also drove Unstoppable ($4.40) to victory lane for trainer Steven Rybka.
Mark Beckwith also had a Tuesday training triple, driving his stable's winners I Loved Her First ($13.60), Acefortyfour Money ($3.20) and Bronze Over N ($2.90).
Live harness racing resumes at Saratoga on Saturday evening with a 5 p.m. start.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel; Photo of Billy Dobson in his 5,000th career win last year)