Nine O Wonderful closed fast on the far outside to win the first race of 2012 Saratoga meet, a one-mile turf allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds and upward.
Ridden to victory by Rosie Napravnik for trainer H. James Bond, Nine O Wonderful sat reserved off of a moderate early pace set by Artest and Followmyfootsteps, who ran the opening quarter mile in :24.87 seconds while leading Yankee Fourtune by just over a length. Writingonthewall was also up close, with Midnite Silver and Nine O Wonderful racing in mid-pack. Salto, Voodoo Storm, and Silver Menace were the early trailers.
As the field made their way down the backstretch, Yankee Fourtune moved to the inside and shot through a narrow opening to seize command of the lead. Followmyfootsteps responded to the challenge and stayed right with him, but Artest soon found nothing left in the tank and began to drop back.
Rounding the final turn, Followmyfootsteps reclaimed the lead from Yankee Fourtune and soon opened up a clear advantage, but Midnite Silver was rallying along the rail, and Nine O Wonderful was charging hard on the far outside. In an exciting photo finish fitting for the first race of the meet, Nine O Wonderful secured a half-length victory over Followmyfootsteps, while Midnite Silver, Salto, Voodoo Storm, Yankee Fourtune, Artest, Writingonthewall, and Silver Menace completed the order of finish.
The final time was 1:35.60.
-Keelerman
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