Jockey Rajiv Maragh had a tough beat on William L. Clifton Jr.’s Hostess when he rode her for the first time on June 21.

But Maragh gained knowledge and put it to good use Monday afternoon, as he patiently rated Hostess and then turned her loose in the lane to win the 13th running of the Grade 3, $108,900 Glens Falls Handicap by a neck over rallying Palmilla.

Her winning time of 2:11.66 for the 11 furlongs was a Saratoga Race Course inner turf course record, breaking the old mark bet by Babinda (GB) on July 26, 1997.

“It’s the good ones that make you look good,” said trainer H. James Bond. “You just put a saddle on them and they shine. She has been training so dynamite. I know we would have liked to take a shot against the colts, but this was a smart conservative way.”

A 5-year-old daughter of Chester House, Hostess twice ran third behind the classy Mauralakana at Belmont Park in a pair of Grade 2 races, the nine-furlong Sheepshead Bay Handicap and the New York at a mile and a quarter. Maragh rode her in the New York, and she rallied strong to be beaten only a half-length.

“(Maragh) learned something a little bit about her the last time,” Bond said.

Tejida was the pacesetter in the Glens Falls going in splits of 23.96, 47.40, 1:11.63, 1:35.88 and 1:59.92 on the firm course with the rail down. She had the lead hading for home, when Maragh, who had bided his time, finally let his mount roll.

“The pace was pretty steady up front, and I always thought I had horse,” Maragh said. “She was real relaxed and always felt comfortable. She’s always had a good finish and she showed it today.”

Bond will now target either the Grade 1, $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park on September 27, or the Grade 1, $400,000 Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita on the same day. Both races are at 10 furlongs on the turf.

“We’ll have to see what the turf is like,” Bond said. “It’s a great way to finish up the meet. It has been a little quiet. I wish we could get an extension so it could help me out.”

Hostess returned $8.50.

Jade Queen was third, followed by Lamentation (GB), favored Dynaforce and Tejida.

Dyna’s Lassie was scratched.