But Why takes main trot event

With no Open Trot on the docket, a $13,000 trotting event served as the Monday afternoon harness racing feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

But Why (Crazy Wow) drew the rail as he dropped out of the Open following a trio of disappointing starts in the regular Monday feature after enjoying a strong spring against the track’s top trotters.

The Scott Mongeon-trained high-stepper was the 4-5 betting favorite and had Mark Beckwith at the controls as he yielded in the early going to fellow Open dropper Coventry Hall (Jacob Cutting) who set fast fractions of 27.4 and 56.4 in the first half.

As But Why rode the coattails of the leader, Send It In Hanover (Wally Hennessey) took his shot on the outside of Coventry Hall who withstood the pressure from Send It In Hanover before succumbing to the bid in the passing lane from But Why who came on to win in 1:55.3.

The victory was the eighth on the season in eighteen starts for But Why who led an exacta with Coventry Hall second that returned $12 while the triple rounded out by Send It In Hanover paid $17 (on a $2 wager).

BUT WHY REPLAY

But Why is owned by Steve and Laura Stewart of Petersburgh, NY. 

Live racing continues on Tuesday with a first post set for 12pm

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

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway