Following a third-place effort behind Luck Be Withyou on the Gerrity undercard at Saratoga last week, JK Panache ($5.60) bounced back to earn his 40th career win in Saturday (July 30) evening's featured $10,000 Open/Preferred Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs.

Chris Lems sent the seven-year-old Art Major gelding right to the front from an assigned outside post, sprinting clear of a pressing All Stienam (John MacDonald) through a :26 first quarter. Despite a lack of pressure through the middle half, JK Panache maintained a solid clip through middle splits of :54.3 and 1:22.1 before bracing for a challenge from 5-4 favourite Jacksrluckytoo (Greg Merton) off the far turn. While Jacksrluckytoo was able to just collar pocket foe All Stienam in the battle for second, JK Panache evaded his five foes in strong fashion, posting a :26.4 closing quarter to cap his two-length 1:49 triumph.

Trainer David Dewhurst co-owns JK Panache with Philip Hale.

The sub-featured $7,500 Miracle Mile pacing event went to Jet Airway ($4.50), who kicked cover off the far turn to best an under-pressure Thatll Be The Rei in 1:51. Atlee Bender gave the five-year-old Jeremes Jet entire a cozy second-over trip behind Pantheon Hanover before making his move to collar duelling leaders in mid-stretch. Trainer Erv Miller co-owns Jet Airway with Tangie Massey, Paul Sunderhaus, and Larry Agle.

(With files from Vernon Downs)