Panocchio scored another Open Pace victory on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

The defending Pacer and Horse of the Year at the Spa is having another terrific season and was the co-favourite in Saturday’s feature. Gerry Mattison moved the versatile Panocchio out to the early lead and the five-year-old son of No Pan Intended never had an anxious moment while wiring the field in 1:51.1.

One of the winners in a three-horse dead heat last weekend, Panocchio scored for the sixth time in the $18,000 local Open this year as he held off pocket-sitting Hot Roddy (Bruce Aldrich Jr.), who finished second in his first try in the feature, and Burkentine Hanover (Stephane Bouchard), one of the trio of winners in last Saturday’s Open.

Panocchio’s quest to repeat as Pacer of the Year and perhaps Horse of the Year was furthered by registering his fastest score thus far this season for co-owners Emile Johnson Jr. and trainer Jimmy Mattison.

(With files from Saratoga Raceway)