The $150,000 Yaddo Stakes, run at 1 1/16^th miles on the turf for fillies and mares, padded the already-impressive resume jockey Ramon Dominguez has mounted. He won the contest with Hessonite in a time of 1:43.44 and returned $4.60 for a $2 wager.

“It was a good trip, and, at the moment, she’s just the best in this kind of company,” said winning trainer David Donk. “I’d love to win a graded stake with her, but the Hettinger [New York-breds, Belmont Park , September 9] is 23 days away. Those are hard to pass up; $150,000 is nothing to sneeze at. We’ll see; it depends how things go, but at the moment, state-breds. The Noble Damsel [Grade 3, Belmont Park , September 15] is a week later; you never know, rain’s always a factor. Last year, the Hettinger came off the grass, so we had to call an audible and run in the Pebbles, and then nine days back on Showcase Day, so anything’s possible.”

Dominguez continues his dominance at Saratoga winning his 43^rd race Friday with earnings near $3 million.

“We had a pretty good trip,” he said. “We were tracking No. 6 Hot Splash all the way around. The co-favorite [Gitchee Goomie] was to my inside, and turning for home I felt I had a chance to get a jump on her. Sure enough, my filly just accelerated. She’s extremely professional; every time she runs she gives you all she’s got. She’s very laid back, really everything you need in a horse.”

Mystic City, Elusive Rumour, Gitchee Goomie, Dreaming of Cara, Considerate and Hot Splash fell behind Hessonite.

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Friday’s card was dedicated solely to the ladies as every race was restricted to fillies and mares. The opener to today’s contests went to Unabashed in the 5 ½-furlong sprint for two year olds in a time of 1:04.08. She paid $5.60 for the win. Ruby Lips and Merry Meadow rounded out the trifecta.

The second race was a rare stakes race, the $100,000 Summer Guest Stakes for three-year-old fillies going nine furlongs on the dirt. Lady Cohiba won the contest in a time of 1:49.66 and paid $29.80. Moment in Dixie took second while Harbor Mist came in third.

Race 3 was won by Stack the Storm ($14.20) covering a mile on the inner turf in 1:38.27. He Loves Me More and Sands of Humor came in second and third.

The fifth race was won by Shakeira (6.70) with Javier Castellano up. She covered the 8 1/2 furlongs on the grass in 1:43.66. Wholelottashakin finished second and Inimitable Romanee finished third.

Friday’s sixth race, nine furlongs on the dirt, was won by Dance Card in a time of 1:50.51. She paid $3.20. Scampering placed while Draw It showed.

In a maiden special weight tussle at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf, Heading to Toga gave Ramon Dominguez his third win of the day in 1:03.54. Rosalie’s Pleasure and A Prettydixie rounded out the ticket.

In the eighth race, Javier Castellano piloted Crafty Push to victory going 6 furlongs on the dirt in 1:12:32 paying a $15.60. Glorioius View and It’s Saturday Nite took second and third.

The ninth went to Jitney at a price, $28.20. Akira came in second and Quiet Ending finished third. The winning time for the 5 1/2 –furlong race on the grass was 103.14.

Full of Intent closed Friday’s racing card with a win going seven furlongs on the dirt in 1:25.01. She paid $7.10 for the win. Zero Yield and Court of Dreams rounded out the ticket.

Brendan O'Meara is the Author of "Six Weeks in Saratoga: How Three-Year-Old Filly Rachel Alexandra Beat the Boys and Became Horse of the Year"
www.twitter.com/brendanomeara

PHOTO CREDIT: NYRA / Adam Coglianese