Ex New Zealand pacer upsets at 16-1

General Montana N (Bettor’s Delight) spent much of his 2024 harness racing campaign competing in the claiming ranks at Saratoga Casino Hotel. After moving to the stable of trainer Amanda Kelley, the seven year old 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 Pace and was dismissed at odds of 32-1. In that try, the Kelley trainee shook loose late and powered up to finish second in the $15,000 feature.

This Saturday (Nov 2), the veteran once again drew post two for his try in the Open 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 coming on to win in 1:52.3 for his sixth victory of ’24 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 in the upset. 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 LLC of Bear, DE. 

GENERAL MONTANA N REPLAY

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at 12pm. 

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway