Saratoga Casino Hotel's defending Pacer of the Year, Moonshine Kisses made his return to the winner’s circle on Saturday, Oct. 14 as he continued his second consecutive masterful campaign.

The Jackie Greene-trained pacer motored home in a :26.4 final quarter in his last start, and was tasked with post eight for his Saturday try in the Open Pace. Driver Jay Randall didn’t waste any time putting the odds-on betting favourite in gear, powering him off the gate and out to the front-end in the $15,000 feature. Following first-half fractions of 27 seconds and :56.1, Moonshine Kisses had plenty left in the tank and he followed up a strong first lap with a :55.2 final half en route to a 1:51.3 victory in the feature.

For Moonshine Kisses, it was win number 13 on the season in a 2023 campaign that boasts $238,000 in earnings in just 26 starts. The Kellogg Racing Stables LLC of Queensbury, N.Y. owns the seven-year-old pacer.

Century Endeavor (Brett Beckwith) was the runner-up to Moonshine Kisses on Saturday while Talking Tom (Chris Long) earned the show spot. The big favourite in the wagering led an exacta and triple that paid $28.80 and $74.50, respectively.

Live harness racing continues on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Saratoga with a matinee set to begin at noon.

(Saratoga)