General Montana N earned his first victory at the Open level, winning Saratoga Raceway's top event on Saturday, Nov. 2.
General Montana N spent much of his 2024 campaign competing in the claiming ranks at Saratoga. After moving to the stable of trainer Amanda Kelley, the son of Bettors Delight competed at Plainridge Park where he discovered the winning way prevailing in four consecutive starts in Massachusetts while going undefeated in the month of September.
Last Saturday, Oct. 26, General Montana N returned to the Spa where he competed in the Open and was dismissed at odds of 32-1. In that try, the Kelley trainee shook loose late and powered up to finish second.
The seven-year-old gelding once again got post two for his second try in the $20,833 Open Handicap Pace and this week, he was piloted by Mitch Cushing. Cushing got General Montana N away second in the early going while sitting the pocket to Heaven On High N (Matt Athearn), who set fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:24.1 on the lead through three-quarters. General Montana N then pocket-pulled and overpowered the
leader around the final turn before going on to win in 1:52.3 for his sixth victory of 2024 campaign and his first in Open company.
Despite being the runner-up in his previous try against the track’s top pacers, General Montana N was a 16-1 longshot in Saturday’s score, paying $34.20 to win. Pirate Hanover (Aaron Byron) was the runner-up while Heaven On High N held on to be third.
General Montana N is owned by Sartin Racing.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)