The $10,000 feature race at Vernon Downs on Saturday night was won by JK Panache, who was the longest shot on the board at 7-1 in the field of five.
JK Panache was driven to victory by Truman Gale.
The favourite, You Bet Your Glass, set a strong pace through a half-mile, covering the quarter in :27.3 and reaching the half in :56.3. However, it was at this point that JK Panache aggressively attacked from third position, where he had been through the half. JK Panache passed the leader and never looked back after taking the lead, posting a final time of 1:52.2 for the mile. Moonlight Ransom, the second-longest shot on the board at 6-1, also rallied past the fading favourite to claim second position, resulting in an exacta payout of $69.
The complete order of finish for the feature was JK Panache, Moonlight Ransom, You Bet Your Glass, Restless Yankee, and Oozies Bad Boy.
JK Panache is owned by Philip Hale of New Hartford, New York and David Dewhurst of Clinton, New York. Dewhurst is also the trainer.
Also on Saturday night, Rick Plano had a training and driving triple. His three winners for the evening were Battle Gun in the second race, Henry Blue Chip in the fifth race, and Red Hot Yankee in the seventh race. Red Hot Yankee might have been the most impressive performer of the three, finishing his one-mile pace in 1:51.4.
Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Thursday night with an 11-race card. Thursday night is Dollar Night with $1 hot dogs, sodas, drafts, popcorn, and live racing programs. First post time is 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)