Defending Horse of the Year gets first win of the season

The defending Horse of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel got into the harness racing win column for the first time in 2025 on Monday.

By The Book (Chapter Seven) enjoyed a six-figure ’24 campaign and subsequently was named both Trotter of the Year and Horse of the Year at the track.

The Scott Mongeon-trained six year old began his season as a beaten favorite in his four starts but did secure a pair of second-place finishes heading into Monday’s try in the $15,000 Open Trot.

Jay Randall sat behind By The Book in his award-winning campaign and has done so thus far in ’25. In Monday’s feature, Randall didn’t stop until By The Book reached the top and once the standout trotter got there, he would never look back.

By The Book stopped the timer in 1:57 to secure his first victory of the year besting the favored Delayed Hanover (Matt Athearn) who was the runner-up.

BY THE BOOK REPLAY

Ikon Vang DK (Brett Beckwith) earned the show spot in his Open debut. By The Book, who is owned in partnership by Harrison, Barthelmas and Murray, paid $16.40 in the mild upset. With the earnings from his Monday score, the high-stepper moved his career bankroll to over the $300,000 mark.

Mongeon scored a training double when his But Why secured his third consecutive victory coming from off the pace to score in a $12,500 trotting event with young reinsman Jacob Cutting in the sulky.

Live racing continues on Tuesday at Saratoga with a 12pm first post. 

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway