Jk Panache pounced to the lead and withstood all challenges to take the $20,000 Open Pace on the penultimate program of the season at Saratoga Casino Hotel Saturday, Dec. 15.
Driver Shawn Gray powered the nine-year-old son of Art Major to the lead early and, after getting mixed up in a bit of a speed duel, cleared command. Jk Panache set fractions of :27 and :55.2 on the first lap before slowing to three-quarters in 1:23.3. The veteran continued to hold the lead despite outside pressure in progress to a 1:53 victory. Im Some Graduate finished second ahead of In A Single Bound third.
JK Panache, dismissed at odds of 7-1, led an exacta and triple that returned $169.50 and $1,108 respectively. JK Panache, who moved over the $100,000 mark in earnings for the season, gave his connections a pair of wins on the card as his trainer Dave Dewhurst teamed up with Shawn Gray earlier on the night for a victory with condition pacer Pantheon Hanover.
Live racing continues on Sunday, Dec. 16 for closing day of the 2018 racing season. The final race card of ’18 begins at 12:15 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)