Saratoga Springs, NY — Bontz N has been the top pacing mare this season at Saratoga Casino Hotel with five Open wins to her credit. However, she has only managed to be a minor player in more recent tries. On Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 6), the Gary Levine trainee dropped in company and took the featured $5,300 conditioned event at the Spa.

Billy Dobson, the leading driver at Saratoga, moved the 9-year-old American Ideal mare out to the early lead. Bontz N carved out a :57 first half with 7-5 favorite Gina Grace N (Larry Stalbaum) riding her coattails before getting a clear chance in the stretch. The chase was futile, though, as Bontz recorded her sixth victory of the season, stopping the timer in 1:54.2. Gina Grace N was the runner-up, while Tipperary Hill (John Stark Jr.) earned third.

Bontz N, who was one of the track’s top pacing mares and a nominee for Pacing Mare of the Year in 2019, has been the leading lady again in 2020 for Levine and co-owner April Aldrich.

Live racing returns to Saratoga on Monday afternoon (Oct. 12), with first post time set at 12 noon. There will be a carryover of $5,257 in the Pick-5, which begins in the opener.