By The Book (Chapter Seven) continues to establish himself as the top Open trotter at Saratoga Casino Hotel this season. On Sunday afternoon, the five year old completed a training double for Scott Mongeon who earlier in the day saw his Cherry Mason set a new lifetime mark in a conditional race for trotters.
By The Book drew post eight for his try in the $15,000 Open Trot and driver Jay Randall took the 2-1 betting favorite back at the start. The patience didn’t last long as the veteran reinsman made an early move in the backstretch with By The Book who went from last to first by the time the field made its way around the paddock turn for the first time.
After settling in on the front-end, By The Book was confronted by a first-over rival whose bid was thwarted after By The Book clicked off three-quarters in 1:28. Randall then asked the favorite for his best and the talented high-stepper powered away from his rivals to win by more than four lengths in a mile clocked in 1:57.3.
By The Book became the first trotter to win the Open three times thus far this season. On Sunday, the longest shot on the board Powerscourt (Mickey McGivern) finished second at odds of 40-1 to complete a hefty $307 exacta while Comeonover Hanover (Billy Dobson) continued his stretch of being a weekly factor in the Open by finishing third once again.
The triple paid $1,081 for a $2 wager. By The Book is owned by the team of Harrison, Barthelmas and Murray, all of New York.
Live racing continues on Monday afternoon with a matinee that has a noon first post and features a carryover of $18,837 for the Jackpot Super High 5.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
