Montana Pablo A paced home for his 75th career victory when he won Wednesday's (Dec. 22) first race at MGM Northfield Park. The 14-year-old veteran, who has made 333 career starts, also has 38 second-place and 32 third-place finishes.
With the calendar soon turning to 2022, Montana Pablo A will be forced into retirement. Per the rules of the United States Trotting Association, horses can race from age two through 14.
Montana Pablo A (Blissfull Hall-Gold Liner-Shipps Fella) has amassed career earnings of $524,905, and took his lifetime mark of 1:50.4 at Harrah’s Philadelphia as a 10-year-old. The gelding’s richest win came in a $22,000 conditioned race at Yonkers Raceway in 2014. Montana Pablo A is a well-traveled campaigner: his 333 starts have been spread across 17 different racing surfaces encompassing eight different states as well as Australia.
Montana Pablo A started from post four in the evening’s $4,800 conditioned claiming event. He led at every call through fractions of :27.4, :56.1, 1:24.4 and 1:54.4, winning by 2-1/2 lengths. He was the lukewarm favourite in the race and paid $6.40 to win.
Andrew Betts of Broadview Heights, Ohio, owns Montana Pablo A. Trainer Scott Betts called upon Tim Deaton for the winning drive.
MGM Northfield Park has announced the addition of a $12,500 Pick-5 total pool guarantee for Sunday (Dec. 26). The Pick-5 begins in race six, and the $12,500 guaranteed total pool includes a carryover of $3,316. This wager is offered as part of the Strategic Wagering Program through the United States Trotting Association. The evening’s eighth race begins the 50-cent (non-jackpot) Pick-6 with a $1,376 carryover. Northfield’s Pick-5, Pick-4s, Pick-3s, Pick-6 and 20-cent Super High Five offer a reduced takeout rate of 14 per cent. Sunday’s post time is 6 p.m.
(MGM Northfield Park)