Saratoga Springs, NY — Kennebago went gate-to-wire in his $10,500 conditioned trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday (Feb. 18) to secure the 1,000th win for his trainer, Gary Levine.

Gary Levine posted his 1,000th training win on Sunday. Jessica Hallett photo.

Billy Dobson and the Levine student took the early lead and never looked back as they set panels in :29.2, 1:00.1, and 1:30. Turning for home, Yo Cheyenne (Matthew Athearn) overcame a parked out trip to battle for the win, but Kennebago had just enough to win by a half-length in 2:00. Yo Cheyenne had to settle for second and Gavinator (Brett Beckwith) completed the top three.

Levine owns the 4-year-old E L Titan-First Class Act gelding who posted his first win in his first start this season and his eighth career victory from 29 starts. This was his first start with his new connections. Kennebago has $147,306 banked lifetime. He returned $5.60 as the 9-5 second choice on the board.

Levine has been training since 2005. The Ballston Spa resident has had just over 7,000 career starts with $6,863,440 earned. He saw his career best year in 2023 with 114 wins and $968,700 in earnings.

By The Book wins Open Trot

By The Book (Chapter Seven) won his first career Open Trot on closing weekend of the 2023 meet at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Scott Mongeon trainee went coast-to-coast to wrap up his ’23 campaign before taking the winter off. On Feb. 12, the 5-year-old made his return to the track with a strong closing third-place finish.

Jay Randall has been the regular reinsman for By The Book and in Sunday’s $15,000 feature, Randall moved the even-money favorite out to the early lead. The talented high-stepper enjoyed a hassle-free first half that went in :59.1 and looked comfortable every step of the way before reporting home a 1-1/4 length winner. By The Book stopped the timer in 1:57.2 for his second victory in the local feature since coming to town last year.

Longshot Malibu Kid (Larry Stalbaum) closed to finish second while City Of Hope (Jimmy Devaux) earned the show spot.

By The Book is owned in partnership by Charles Harrison, Frederick Barthelmas and Tina Murray.

Racing at the Spa resumes on Monday (Feb. 19) with a first race post time of 12 p.m.