But Why is showing that his award-winning 2025 campaign at Saratoga Casino Hotel was no fluke. The Scott Mongeon trainee was named Trotter of the Year and Horse of the Year in ’25 and has come out strong to begin his five year old campaign. On Monday, But Why drew post position six in the six-horse Open Trot and got away last in the $18,000 feature. Fast fractions were set in lap one to the tune of 27.1 and 56 seconds while the track’s defending top trotter sat patiently in the back of the pack. Still last at the half mile pole, But Why began to march up overland before tipping three-wide as they clocked three-quarters in 1:25.4. Longshot Morning Edition (Wally Hennessey) shook free off the rail around the final turn as But Why continued to chip away at the race’s dueling leaders. It was But Why who took over the lead in mid-stretch before stopping the timer in 1:57 to win the Open for the second time in six starts this season. Morning Edition was the runner-up to But Why while Ordained (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot. But Why has hit the board in all six of his starts in the Open this year and became the fourth trotter to win the regular Monday feature multiple times in 2026. But Why, who paid $9.52 to win in the mild upset, was driven to victory by Jimmy Devaux.
Live racing continues on Tuesday with a first post time of 12pm. There will be a Pick Five carryover of $3,809 starting in race one on the matinee card while the Pick Four will feature a carryover of $960 beginning in race two.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
