Kennebago clinched victory in the $14,189 conditioned trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday, February 18, marking a significant milestone for trainer Gary Levine as his 1,000th win.
Under the expert guidance of jockey Billy Dobson, Kennebago seized the lead from the start and maintained a commanding position throughout the race, clocking impressive times of :29.2, 1:00.1, and 1:30. As they turned for home, the competition intensified as Yo Cheyenne, ridden by Matthew Athearn, mounted a fierce challenge after a challenging journey. However, Kennebago displayed remarkable resilience, crossing the finish line a half-length ahead in 2:00. Yo Cheyenne settled for second place, followed by Gavinator in third.
The victorious four-year-old E L Titan-First Class Act gelding is a prized asset in Levine's stable, securing his first win in the new season and claiming his eighth career triumph out of 29 starts. Making a stellar debut under Levine's tutelage, Kennebago has amassed an impressive lifetime earnings of $149,151. With odds of $5.60 as the 2-1 second favourite, Kennebago's victory was both well-deserved and lucrative.
Levine, a seasoned trainer since 2005 and a resident of Ballston Spa, has accumulated a wealth of experience, with over 7,000 career starts and total earnings of $6,887,133. His standout year in 2023 saw him achieve 114 wins and earnings of $968,700, a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field.
In a separate event, By The Book celebrated his first win of 2024 in the $20,270 Open Trot at Saratoga under the guidance of trainer Scott Mongeon. Piloted by Jay Randall, the talented trotter surged to an early lead as the even-money favourite, maintaining a steady pace and ultimately clinching victory by a length and a quarter. By The Book completed the race in 1:57.2, marking his second triumph in the local feature since his arrival last year. The race saw Malibu Kid and City Of Hope secure second and third place, respectively. By The Book is jointly owned by Harrison, Barthelmas, and Murray.