2012 Ballerina, Ballston Spa, and Test Stakes

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The first stakes race on Travers day was the $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon turf course. Zagora was sent off as the 3-2 favorite in the field of 8 off her third place finish in the Diana (G1). In to challenge her included 5-2 second choice Tapitsfly, winner of the Just A Game (G1) before finishing fourth in the Diana, and 7-2 third choice Hungry Island, fifth in the Diana last out.

5-1 Summer Soiree was sent to a clear lead by jockey Julien Leparoux and she set fractions of 23.70, 46.35, and 1:09.44 over the firm course while as many as 3 lengths in front of Tapitsly and 59-1 longest shot Thundering Emilia. Summer Soiree continued to lead to mid-stretch but Zagora, fourth early, and Hungry Island, seventh early, closed late to pass the tiring pacesetter. Zagora outfinished Hungry Island by 1 1/2 lengths in a new course record time of 1:39.07. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to Summer Soiree third.

Results chart