Barbara D. Livingston
Laughing (right) holds off Pianist to win the Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y – In a virtual replay of the Grade 1 Diana Stakes run here four weeks earlier, Laughing, under Jose Lezcano, recorded a front-running victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga, turning back Pianist by a head.
Pianist, under Mike Smith, pursued Laughing all the way around the speed-favoring inner turf course, finishing second by 2 3/4 lengths over Hard Not To Like.
Hungry Island, the slight 5-2 favorite, finished fourth and was followed in the order of finish by Somali Lemonade, Miz Ida, Embarr, and Centre Court.