Artful Way made his return to Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, June 2, winning the $14,500 Open Pace in 1:50.2.

The Jackie Greene trainee was assigned the outside post position in the Open, but started from post five with a late scratch. Driver Frank Coppola Jr. powered the six-year-old star out to the early lead and, despite going a first quarter in a :26.2 and a half in :55, Artful Way paced away from this rivals to win in an eye-popping 1:50.2, the fastest mile by any horse at Saratoga this year. Texas Terror N sat the pocket to Artful Way and wound up as the Open’s runner-up while invader Chumlee A earned the show spot.

Artful Way was the 3-5 favourite in what was not only his fourth victory in the local Open this season but his eighth 2018 score overall.

Live racing continues on Sunday, June 3 at Saratoga with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.

(With files from Saratoga Raceway)