A field of six lined up for the $9,500 featured pace on Monday afternoon at Vernon Downs, but in the end, it was the story of just one horse - JK Panache.

The five-year-old gelding powered to the front right away and never really had a challenge in a gate-to-wire victory in a time of 1:49.2. The time was just two-fifths of a second off the track record for aged geldings – a record held by Pontiac Luck and set in 2013.

JK Panache was speedy right from the outset, setting come-and-get-me fractions of :26, :53.2 and 1:20.4. Firethorn settled in second after the start, but never made any headway on the leader throughout the race. However, he remained second all the way around the racetrack and finished in the runner-up spot. Third prize was earned by You Bet Your Glass.

JK Panache was driven to victory by Chris Lems. He is trained by part-owner David Dewhurst of Clinton, NY. The co-owner is Philip Hale of New Hartford, NY. JK Panache has been on a roll at Vernon Downs of late, with two wins and a second in his last three starts.

Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Thursday with a nine-race program. It will be the start of a four-day race weekend at Vernon Downs with racing through Sunday. Thursday post time is 6:45 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)