At the Post: Fond of Sarah has impressive debut

Fond of Sarah, a 2-year-old filly bred and trained by Charlie Assimakopoulos, turned in an impressive career debut on Saturday, completing five and a half furlongs in 1:05 2/5.Ridden by James Vail bearing the blue and white colors of Yasou Stable Trust, the bay filly rated off the front-runners before drawing even and pulling away comfortably to win by 7 1/2 lengths. By With Distinction, she is out of the mare Fondant who was a local success.Fond of Sarah returned $5.80, 3.40 and 2.20.uOn Wednesday, apprentice jockey Janelle Campbell piloted Legendary King to an upset victory in the day’s featured race, a $20,000 optional claiming race on the turf.Trained by Carlos Grullon, the six-year-old son of Brahms rated off the pace and made his move to draw even with the front-running Special Dinner in deep stretch before drawing off by a length and a half.Legendary King returned $36.60,14.60 and 7.00.uWith two days of racing left in the live racing season, trainer Jay Bernardini appears to have locked up his first training title. The Lynn resident has won 57 races since the meet began in May and is 28 ahead William Sienkewicz and John Rigattieri, both in a tie for the runner-up spot.The race for leading rider remains neck and neck between two local veterans, David Amiss and Dyn Panell. Going into Saturday’s eight-race card, Amiss has the narrow advantage with 60 wins, four ahead of Panell.uToday at Suffolk Downs, a field of nine Massachusetts-bred two-year-olds will compete in the $25,000 Norman Hall Stakes. The race will be run at five and a half furlongs and is the third race on the eight-race card.Trainer George Brown, who owns and operates Briar Hill Farm in Rehoboth, MA, will be represented by four runners in the race and his stallion, Sociano, is the sire of five of the nine two-year-olds.As the Suffolk Downs season draws to a close, the final day of live racing has been changed to Saturday, October 4. Live racing will be held Saturday, September 27 and October 4. Post time is 12:45 p.m.Material gathered from racing sources and wire services.