Saratoga Springs, NY – But Why, the 2025 Horse of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel, made his return to the winner’s circle for the first time in 2026 on Monday (April 13) when he scored a wire-to-wire win in the Open Trot.
Jimmy Devaux was the regular driver for But Why last year for trainer Scott Mongeon and has piloted him in all three of his seasonal tries while on the comeback trail. Following a third- and second-place finish, respectively, in his two starts back, But Why was the even-money favorite in Monday’s installment of the $16,500 Open for high-steppers.
Devaux powered the track’s defending champ out to the lead, where he cruised through honest first-half fractions of :28.1 and :57.2. The 5-year-old gelding held firm through three-quarters in 1:27 before reporting home a winner by a neck in 1:56.4.
Longshot Dewey Arnold (Jacob Cutting) closed to be second at odds of 16-1 while there was a dead-heat for show between In A Tiny Way (Aaron Byron) and Malibu Kid (Leon Bailey).
A 14-time winner in ’25, But Why is owned by Steve and Laura Stewart of Petersburgh, N.Y.
Live racing continues on Tuesday (April 14), with a first post time of noon.