Atoka Woodstock wins feature; Zombick sweeps driving challenge

Atoka Woodstock visited the winner’s circle for the second time in his last three starts when leading every step of the way en route to a 1:53.1 victory in the featured $15,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Saturday.
 
Driven from post four by Frank Coppola Jr., Atoka Woodstock had no difficulty making the lead in the Saturday feature, charging directly to the front with little protest from his rivals to show the way through fractions of :28, :56.4, and 1:25.
 
Atoka Woodstock entered the stretch with a 1 3/4-length lead, and was never truly challenged down the lane, holding off a late outside bid from Capital Advisor (Jay Randall) to prevail by a length at the wire.
 
Atoka Woodstock returned $4.40, $2.80, and $2.40 for the victory. Capital Advisor paid $3.20 and $2.70 for second, while BB Torio (Chris Long) brought in $3.10 for third.
 
Owned by Kellogg Racing Stables LLC of Queensbury, N.Y., and trained by Kelly Clark, Atoka Woodstock has prevailed in three of five starts since shipping south from Montreal in mid-June and now boasts a lifetime record of 14 wins from 65 outings with a bankroll in excess of $154,000.
 
Two divisions of the Mildred Williams International Driving Challenge were contested at Saratoga on Saturday, with 33-year-old horsewoman Tabatha Zombick sweeping both heats to complete a perfect night in the sulky.
 
In the evening’s initial Mildred Williams event, Zombick guided Maple Lane Ace through the wire first to prevail in 2:00 for owner April Cilione and trainer Joseph Cilione. The New York native would return three races later to complete the sweep behind Fit For Glory, stopping the timer in 2:00.3 for owner/trainer Gary Levine.
 
The Mildred Williams International Driving Challenge at Saratoga was held in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a volunteer-driven organization that is dedicated to eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment. (Saratoga)

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