Moonshine Kisses posted Saratoga Raceway's fastest mile of the season thus far as the Jackie Greene-trained pacer overcame post eight to win the $20,548 Open Handicap on Saturday, May 18.

The eight-year-old son of Sunshine Beach is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he earned more than $265,000 with 15 victories following a ’22 season in which he was named the track’s Pacer of the Year. Returning from a stint out of town, Moonshine Kisses came to the Spa where he won his previous local try on March 30.

On Saturday, the Greene trainee was assigned post position eight and left a bit at the start to find a spot sitting mid-pack just off the early speed. The speed was hot and after first-half fractions of :26.4 and 55 seconds were posted in lap one, Moonshine Kisses made his move approaching the three-quarter pole. When Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey tipped him, he meant business, powering past his rivals before opening up an insurmountable lead. The standout pacer stopped the timer in 1:51.2, winning by 5-1/2 lengths. Pace N Pride N (Brett Beckwith) was the runner-up while pacesetting The Bird Dance N (Phil Fluet) held on to finish third.

The victory for the heavily favoured Moonshine Kisses was his third of the season from 10 starts and gave Greene her second winner on the night. The 55-time career winning pacer is owned by Kellogg Racing Stables LLC of Queensbury, New York.

 (With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)