Moonshine Kisses, former Pacer of the Year at Saratoga Raceway, made his return to the Saratoga winner’s circle on Saturday night, March 30 after a victory in the $20,270 Open Handicap Pace.

The Jackie Greene trainee took home the track's award for the top pacer in 2022 and followed up that incredible campaign with a 15-win ’23 season in which he earned more than $265,000 -- accrued in large part in out-of-town starts.

On Saturday, Moonshine Kisses was the 1-9 betting favourite in the featured Open and leading driver Brett Beckwith was content to back off a bit in the early going with the public’s top choice. After Primo Uomo (Jimmy Devaux) took the field to the half in :57.1, Moonshine Kisses made his move first-over before cruising past the leader and opening up late to win by 2-1/4 lengths in a mile clocked in 1:53.3. Primo Uomo finished second in a $10.40 exacta while Ronaldo N (Matt Athearn) finished third in a $77.50 triple.

An eight-year-old son of Sunshine Beach, Moonshine Kisses has won 53 races lifetime with earnings just shy of $700,000.

Moonshine Kisses was one of two winners on the card for Greene and owner Kellogg Racing Stables as their Im No Outlaw N went coast-to-coast in a $14,189 pace. Beckwith piloted both Greene trainees to their scores as part of a five-win evening for the 21-year-old reinsman, who has had a sensational first two months of the 2024 racing season at the Spa. 

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Live harness racing resumes on Monday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that starts at noon. There will be a $1,874 carryover in the Pick 5, which starts in the first race.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)