Bontz N has been the female force among pacers at Saratoga Casino Hotel this season. The nine year old distaffer won her fifth Filly and Mare Open of the year on Tuesday afternoon as her regular pilot Shawn Gray got the favored mare to coast through a comfortable first lap before drawing off from the competition in the final half. Bontz N was the 4-5 betting favorite in the $8,500 feature and cruised uncontested through a first half that went in 58.1. From there, the chase was futile for the rivals of the favorite who prevailed by a measured half length over pocket-sitter Thats Incredible (Billy Dobson) in a mile clocked in 1:55.1. Barynya A (Sam King) sat third behind the top two throughout the mile and earned the show spot. Bontz N led an exacta and triple that returned $9.70 and $55, respectively. Bontz N’s trainer Gary Levine came into the week atop the trainer standings this season but conditioner Melissa Beckwith piled up three wins on the Tuesday card as she and Levine remain very close at the top. With the driving victory in the ladies’ Open, Shawn Gray has now piloting the winner of the most recent installment of the Fillies and Mares Open, the Open Pace and Open Trot.
Live racing continues on Wednesday evening with a mostly New York Sire Stakes filled program as two year old pacing colts and geldings are featured. First post time is set for 7:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
