Saratoga Harness: So Awesome is just that as she topples track record

The track record for a rookie pacing filly at Saratoga Casino now belongs to So Awesome after she turned in a 1:53 3/5 performance in the second of two New York Sire Stakes splits on Friday evening.

Driven by Tim Tetrick in the $78,750 affair, So Awesome worked her way into the lead around pole starter Brooklyn Lilacs (Jim Morrill Jr.) at the 28 2/5 opening quarter. It was all So Awesome from there, as she was clear through a half in 57 seconds and a three-quarters in 1:25 2/5 on her way to the new track mark. St Somewhere (Matt Kakaley) was no match for the winner from first-up, finishing three lengths in arrears, but did get second over Brooklyn Lilacs.

The time of 1:53 3/5 lowered the previous record for the division of 1:54 2/5 that had belonged to Time On My Hands since July of 2015.

A filly by So Surreal, So Awesome is trained by Scott Di Domenico for owner William Hartt. So Awesome, who won for the fourth time in seven attempts, has now earned $149,115. She was bred by The OK Corral and is out of the Kassa Branca mare Teddy Ballgirl (1:55 4/5, $119,809), a sister to three other six-figure earners, led by Little Mister (Village Jove, 1:52 1/5, $394,485). She returned $4.60 to win.

Back in the first $78,750 division, JK American Beauty (Kakaley) had control through panels of 28 2/5, 58 2/5, and 1:27, but Money Shot Hanover (Tyler Buter), who pulled first-up from third past the half, surged by the pace-setter late on the final turn and went on to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:55. Topville Angelina (Marcus Miller) was up for second, while JK American Beauty faded to third.

Trainer Mark Harder also co-owns Money Shot Hanover, an Art Major filly, with partners Rick Phillips and Deena Frost. Money Shot Hanover is now a two-time winner from her six chances, and she has now pocketed $90,908. An $85,000 acquisition at the Standardbred Horse Sale, Money Shot Hanover was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. and is out of the Bettor's Delight mare Marinade Hanover (1:51 2/5, $139,071). Marinade Hanover is a half-sister to the likes of Martini Hanover (Dragon Again, 1:49, $487,939). Money Shot Hanover was the 3-1 third choice and paid $8.70 to win.