SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Astronaut Mark Kelly made the winning presentation to 37-1 longshot Pure Gossip, winner of the seventh race on opening day at Saratoga Race Course which was named in honor of Kelly’s wife, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Giffords is recovering after being shot at a constituent event Jan. 8.
Pure Gossip returned $76 to her backers with a 3 34-length debut victory for Flying Zee Stables in “The Gabrielle Giffords,” a maiden race for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies.
Giffords’ chief of staff, Pia Carusone, is a Saratoga native and daughter of a local attorney.
