Mani Bhavan, making her third career start and second start in 18 days, led at every call Sunday afternoon and held off Jardin for a one-length victory in the 117th running of the Grade 1, $250,000 Spinaway for two-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

Owned by Puglisi Stable and TYB Stable, the Storm Boot filly broke her maiden at first asking at Delaware Park on July 12. Trainer Steve Klesaris considered running her here at Saratoga Race Course on July 23 in the Opening Day Grade 3 Schuylerville, but rainy weather convinced Klesaris to wait.

His patience was promptly rewarded when Mani Bhavan won the Grade 2, 6½-furlong Adirondack by seven lengths on August 13. Obviously, she had a lot more left in the tank for the Spinaway, Saratoga’s biggest race for juvenile fillies.

Under jockey Alan Garcia, who is in dogfight for the leading rider title here, Mani Bhavan shot out of the gate and quickly took position at the rail. She got into high gear quickly and clicked off fractions of 22.18, 45.46 and 1:11.03 on the fast track. Only Jardin, the Schuylerville winner, had a chance and gave chase late, but when she drifted in inside the final furlong, heavily favored Mani Bhavan had the race won in 1:25.23.

A $2 win ticket on her netted $3.40.

“It was a gutsy performance,” Klesaris said. “The runner-up ran a great race, and Mani Bhavan dug in to fight her off. Midway down the stretch, I was concerned. Jardin was coming relentlessly. My filly was digging down and enough to hold her off. I don’t know what’s next. Today was a good test. We’ll go back to the drawing board and evaluate and see what’s next.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who won Saturday’s Grade 1 Woodward with 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, was far from disappointed by Jardin’s effort.

“I thought she ran a beautiful race. Robby (Albarado) gave her a dream trip and finished second. It looked like Robby had a shot to get her (Mani Bhavan), but she was getting tired.”

It was five and a quarter lengths back to Collegiate, who was followed by Casanova Move, Winning Brew and August Rush, who lost all chance when she stumbled at the start.

Girlfriendontheside and Mine All Mine were scratched.

Marlang Leads Parade in Saranac

Following Marlang’s 1¾-length victory in Sunday’s 101st running of the Grade 3 Saranac, 80-year-old owner Gustav Shikendanz by-passed the winners’ circle and paraded the colt and jockey Richard Do Ramos up the track to the delight of Saratoga Race Course’s fans.

“That’s his tradition,” said winning trainer Deborah England. “He sort of does whatever he wants.”

Sort of like Marlang did in the mile and three-sixteenths Saranac.

Marlang, a son of Shikendanz’s 1996 Forego Handicap and Vosburgh winner Langfuhr, spurted from the gate to set fractions of 24.40, 48.44, 1:11.88 and 1:35.58 before winning in 1:53.10 on the firm Mellon Turf Course. It was the first Spa stakes win for both England and Dos Ramos.

“I thought I would make the lead fairly easily; he doesn’t have to be on the lead,” Dos Ramos said. “I’ve had him off the pace before, and he settles. I turned to the head of the lane, and he just accelerated underneath me. I figured it would take a pretty good horse to catch him.”

Marlang has now won four of eight starts, and this was his first start away from his home base at Woodbine.

“I was a little concerned because he never shipped before and he heard the races over at the stakes barn,” England said. I was worried about him settling down. I think he will get better at shipping as he gets older. He has gotten better at everything.”

Marlang returned $7 to win, and was followed by Vacation, Nistle’s Crunch, favored Ready’s Echo, Thou Swell and Shive’s Success.

Mr Maccool and Schonpenhauer were scratched.