Saratoga Harness: Driver Shawn Gray joins 5,000 win club

On Tuesday (May 16) at Saratoga Casino Hotel, La Bella Vita N won the $18,200 Fillies and Mares Winners Over/Open Handicap, marking the 5,000th trip to the winner's circle for her pilot, Shawn Gray.

At the start of the card, Gray was only one victory away from his milestone, but he only had two drives for the day at the Spa. In his second drive, despite facing post eight in the field of nine, Gray pulled no punches.

La Bella Vita N and Gray were parked to the quarter in 27 3/5 before reaching a comfortable spot at the top. The Alicia Gray trainee felt pressure as the field split in two at the half in 56 seconds, with the outer flow charge led by Bottomoftheninth (Jim Devaux). However, La Bella Vita N and Gray battled onward, maintaining a 1 1/2 length cushion as they reached the three-quarters in 1:25.

Down the stretch, challengers approached on both sides. Bettors' choice Alta Madeira N (Wally Hennessey) attempted a sweep up the rail, but Gray urged his mare forward, and La Bella Vita N won by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:54 3/5. Alta Madeira N was second and Always Watching (Jordan Derue) finished third.

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Owned by Douglas Overhiser and Michael Goldberg Racing LLC., La Bella Vita N is an 8-year-old mare and regular starter in the feature divisions. She has had four wins, a second and a third in six starts this season with $46,750 earned. In her career, La Bella Vita N has 25 wins to go with over $250,000 in earnings.

Also on the matinee card, Jim Devaux posted five driving wins.

Racing continues Saturday (May 20) at Saratoga Casino Hotel with first post at 5 p.m.

--press release (Saratoga Casino Hotel)--