Express train to Sar circle

Whoever said the only certainties in life are death and taxes never saw Express Ball N in action as the 5-year-old mare has raced six times this year, and she has won every single start, the latest coming Thursday night in the $17,000 Fillies and Mares Open at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Trainer-driver Ron Cushing sent his charge from post seven to grab the lead from Nanny’s Angel at the rail. However, Up Front Dragonfly and Dan Cappello Jr. were of the same mindset, pocketing Express Ball N in a three-wide bid past a :28.3 opening quarter. That’s how the three remained, lined up behind post-time favorite Up Front Dragonfly past a :58.1 half and a 1:27.4 three-quarters before Cushing popped Express Ball N from the pocket around the final turn.

Although not accustomed to following anybody’s lead, Express Ball N hesitated for only a moment before passing Up Front Dragonfly just before the wire, winning by her shortest margin to date: a half length. Nanny’s Angel and Denis St. Pierre were all alone in third.

Besides her win streak of six, Express Ball N has also shattered her lifetime mark for the second consecutive week with a mile of 1:57, a full second faster than her previous mark. (Saratoga)

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