Panocchio (sired by No Pan Intended) prevailed in the Open Pace on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway for the fourth time this season.
The track’s defending Horse of the Year, Panocchio was the 9-5 second choice in the wagering in Saturday’s feature and driver Gerry Mattison powered the star pacer out to the early lead in a sizzling :26.2 opening quarter. The fractions stayed fast for the Jimmy Mattison trainee, who cruised through a half in :55.3 before clicking off three-quarters in 1:23.3. Panocchio, as he so often does, dug in when briefly confronted and paced away to score in 1:51.2. Longshot Martial Bliss (Jim Devaux) sat the pocket behind the winner and finished a strong second while Jin Dandy (Austin Siegelman) came on for third.
The victory was the 30th in 71 career starts for Panocchio, who paid $5.90 to win. The exacta in the $18,000 Open returned $66 while the triple came back $278. Panocchio is co-owned by Emile Johnson Jr. and trainer Jimmy Mattison.
(Saratoga Raceway)