There are many paths to success in harness racing and for trainer Gary Levine that has been via almost exclusively racing overnight horses. The 41-year-old started his first horse in 2005 and recently won his 1,000th career race. While his $968,700 in 2023 earnings may not make the national leaderboard, it helps that he owns almost every horse in his barn. After an afternoon at his hometown track of Saratoga Raceway where he started seven horses and picked up a win, a second and a third, the Vermont native took the time to discuss his path in the sport and his addiction for buying horses.   How did you get started in harness racing? From my father Steve Levine when we were in Vermont. There was a little farm near our house and my dad would always have a couple of horses. We would ship them to Saratoga to race. Was there ever a chance you wouldn’t go into racing? I liked working with the horses. I actually cooked and had a couple of horses on my own when I was younger. My father owned a couple of restaurants and I learned. Then I went to work for some other people and cooked for a couple of years, but I always had a couple of horses on the side. What made you switch into racing full-time? I had a little success when I started and made a little money. I just like working with the horses. It isn’t work because I like doing it. You recently won your 1,000th race as a trainer. What does that number mean to you? It means a lot because it is a lot of wins. I never had a ton of horses so 1,000 wins is an accomplishment. Last year you set new highs in starts (719), wins (114) and earnings ($968,700). What changed to get you to those heights? What I do is buy and sell horses a lot. Last year they were doing well so I kind of kept them. I just keep reinvesting. When I make money I just buy more horses. I have a problem with Ongait [online horse auction]; it’s like a disease and I keep buying.  Do you own most of your horses? I own pretty much every horse. My father owns two and everything else is mine. How many horses are in your barn? 23 today. I noticed you had a lot of new stock earlier this year. Any reason why you bought so many new horses? When Saratoga closed [for winter break] I sold most of my horses and only kept a few. Then I started to buy new ones which I thought would fit the classes here. In addition to Saratoga you race some at The Meadowlands. Is that your winter place to race when Saratoga is closed? Pretty much. Now I don’t go down too much but I like going there and have had some success. What is your favorite track to race at? Why? It is The Meadowlands and Saratoga, but The Meadowlands is the best of the best. What is your favorite thing to do outside of harness racing? I like to go to Turning Stone Casino. What is your game of choice? I play any kind of poker. I play Let It Ride and Mississippi Stud a lot. What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Love. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten or given about harness racing? Work hard. I’ve always changed over horses and I think that is how you do well. You shouldn’t keep horses too long. What was your best moment in harness racing? I had four wins at Saratoga one day. Also Hestherightstuff won the Open at Tioga this summer and he beat really good horses. Is Hestherightstuff the best horse you’ve ever trained? He’s probably my best horse ever. He went in [1:]50 for me at Tioga and [1:]51 a couple of times at The Meadowlands. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be? Just find a way to get a lot more fans in the stands and get people to notice we exist. I live in Saratoga and you have no idea how many people that live in that area don’t even know there is a harness track there. They all think we only have Thoroughbreds there. Is Saratoga a good place to race/ train? I like it a lot. I’m stabled at the track. When I get done racing I’m 10 minutes from home. There is no shipping and it is very convenient. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter How do you view the future of harness racing? I think it is on the downhill slide. Purses are good and the casinos have definitely helped, but there are less and less people at the track. What does a day in the life of Gary Levine look like? I go to the barn and work until about 1pm, go home for lunch and hang out for a little bit and then go to dinner with friends. Do you have family in the area? My dad lives down the road from me. My mother lives in Vermont. I also have a brother and sister. You’ve been a trainer of overnight horses for your entire career. Do you see more than that for your future? I’m happy with just the racehorses. I can’t compete with the stakes guys but I make a good living just racing the overnight horses. Have you ever bought a yearling? I have a 3-year-old I bought at Harrisburg two years ago who just qualified. He’s an American Ideal. I bought a yearling at Harrisburg this year, a Roll With Joe filly. If we get lucky, we get lucky. I took a little shot. Time for the stretch drive… Best Horse you ever saw:  Somebeachsomewhere. Lasix – Yes or No: Yes. Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld. Trotters or Pacers:  Trotters.