Saratoga Springs, NY – Manofmanymuscles (Muscles Massive) made his local debut from the rail at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday (Feb. 12) afternoon. Brett Beckwith sat behind the 7-year-old trotter who was tasked with competing in the Open Trot for his Spa debut which was also his first start out of the Doug Berkeley stable.

Manofmanymuscles won the Open on Monday at Saratoga Casino Hotel in a very tight finish. Jessica Hallett photo.

Manofmanymuscles took advantage of his inside post and cut the mile in the $15,000 feature. Beckwith gave the invader first-half fractions of :28.2 and :58.1 before facing a challenge for the first time past three-quarters in 1:27.1. Manofmanymuscles, who came into Monday’s try off a win in 1:54.4 at Dover Downs, dug in and held off late challenges from closers Comeonover Hanover (Billy Dobson) and By The Book (Jay Randall) en route to the Open victory that came in 1:57.

Owned by Doug and Leslie Berkeley, Manofmanymuscles paid $7.90 to win in the mild upset and led an exacta with Comeonover Hanover that returned $56. The triple, which came back $392, was completed by By The Book.

Brett Beckwith piloted five winners on the Monday card. Live racing continues on Tuesday (Feb. 13) afternoon with a first post of noon.