SARATOGA SPRINGS — Becky’s Joker saw nothing funny about being the only maiden — and the only first-time starter — in Saratoga’s opening-day feature race, the $175,000, Grade III Schuylerville Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
With 29,102 spectators looking on, the bay filly broke seventh and last in her first race. Under Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, she improved to fourth place after a quarter-mile while the Pennsylvania shipper Carmelia was setting all the pace under Belmont riding champion Jose Ortiz.
The next quarter-mile saw Becky’s Joker move up to third just a half-length behind the fading Carmelia. Those who wagered on the daughter of Practical Joke had their hopes for victory high when she took the lead with 3/16 of a mile to go. Hopes for a trip to the cashier’s window were nearly dashed when Becky’s Joker started to drift out toward the center of the Spa’s home stretch.
Passing the black and white pole that is an eighth of a mile from the finish line and a trophy presentation, Castellano got her straightened away and home safely by 3 ¼ lengths in front of the evenly paced Saratoga Secret and jockey Luis Saez. Saratoga Secret and Saez had won their previous start at Ellis Park.
Closing Act, the winner of Belmont’s Astoria Stakes last month and the only two-time winner in the Schuylerville, was third under Tyler Gaffalione.
The race was run in 1 minute, 12.52 seconds over a main track labeled ‘fast.’
Those few in the stands who wagered on Becky’s Joker did so at odds of 21-1. The fact that Wine on Tap, a Belmont maiden winner and the 11-10 Schuylerville favorite, ran fourth caused some very high numbers to appear on the infield tote board.
Becky’s Joker paid $44.40 to win, $12.80 to place and $7.10 to show. Saratoga’s Secret, a 7-2 shot, was worth $4.90 to place and $3.50 to show. Closing Act’s show price was $4.60.
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