Young reinsman Matt Athearn enjoyed his best day of the season on Monday at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The 25-year-old pilot, who last year was named the Johnny Page Award winner for up-and-coming drivers at the Spa, scored a driver’s grand slam on Monday’s matinee card. His four-bagger was highlighted by a victory behind Summit City Sonny (Dover Dan) in the Open Trot.
The five-year-old Summit City Sonny prevailed in the Open for the first time this season after being a solid force in the trotting feature in 2023 for trainer Jesse McAssey. On Monday, Athearn guided Summit City Sonny out to an early lead that saw him click off first-half fractions of 27.2 and 57.1. Pocket-sitter City Of Hope (Jimmy Devaux) followed the leader’s every move before ending up second-best to Summit City Sonny who stopped the timer in 1:57 for his second win of 2024 and his first in Open company.
City Of Hope completed a $19.60 exacta while Snowpiercer (Brett Beckwith) finished third in his debut in the $15,000 Open to round out a triple that returned $62. Summit City Sonny, who is co-owned by Adam Friedland and his trainer Jesse McAssey, paid $8.20 to win in the mild upset. Athearn’s four-win afternoon puts him in third place in the driver standings with nearly two months of the racing season now complete.
Live racing continues on Tuesday afternoon with a matinee that starts at noon.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
