Replay: Daveron makes the most of her opportunities in Ballston Spa

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Due to her slight build and how much she puts into her races, Daveron is the type of mare her connections can’t run very often.

But Daveron has proven worth the wait every single time this year as on Saturday she made it 3 for 3 with good-looking 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $200,000 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga. Tapitsfly, the pacesetter, settled for second, one-half length ahead of Romacaca. She was followed in the order of finish by Mekong Melody, Aviate, Desert Sage, Strike the Bell, and Trix in the City.

Daveron, owned by the Team Valor International syndicated headed by Barry Irwin, added the Ballston Spa to victories in the Grade 3 Beaugay at Belmont in May and the $200,000 Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap at Parx in July.

“She’s just very highly strung and that’s why we space her races out,’’ said trainer Graham Motion, who added that Daveron trains on the outdoor gallops and not the racetrack at the Fair Hill Training Center. “Barry’s so good, he’s so patient like that, which makes it a lot easier for me.’’

Life is easier for Daveron when there’s a good pace in front of her and she can get covered up. Well, Tapitsfly supplied solid fractions of 23.52 seconds for the quarter, 47.19 for the half-mile, and 1:10.69 for six furlongs. Jockey Eddie Castro had Daveron in fourth position, albeit in three-path down the backside. He was able to guide her inside of Romacaca for a brief time entering the far turn.

Around the turn, Castro guided Daveron back out into the clear and turning for home Castro had her in the four-path.

Though Tapitsfly, under Robby Albarado, was able to hold Romacaca at bay in the stretch, Daveron overpowered her inside the sixteenth pole and drew away as she lengthened her stride.

Daveron, a 6-year-old German-bred daughter of Black Sam Bellamy, covered the 1 1/16 miles over a Mellon Turf course labeled firm in 1:40.09 and returned $11.

“When things go right for her she’s pretty impressive,’’ Motion said. “I don’t think she could have won any easier today really, but Eddie’s done a great job with this filly, he’s really got her number. That’s been a huge part of her putting this streak together.’’

Tapitsfly was the runner-up for the second straight race here. She was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Trix in the City in the De La Rose on Aug. 6.

“It was a great effort,’’ trainer Dale Romans said. “I still have a lot of confidence in her being a major player on the national scene on the grass.’’