by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga, NY — Artful Way (Artistic Fella) was at itagain. The Jackie Greene trainee scored another win in the Open Pace atSaratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night (Nov. 18) as the 5-year-old, destined to be thetrack’s Pacer of the Year for the second straight season, prevailed in the localOpen for the eighth time this year.

Artful Way blasted out to the early leadover a sloppy track on Saturday and the public’s 4-5 betting favorite never hadan anxious moment before stopping the timer in 1:53. The track’s Pacer of theYear in 2016, Artful Way is having an even better year in 2017 as his Saturdayvictory was his 13th of the campaign, eight of which have come in thelocal Open.

Dancin Yankee (Mark Beckwith) finished second in the $19,500feature as he kept a streak of his own alive. The pacer who holds the all-timetrack record at the Spa has competed seven times in the Open this year andfinished second or third in all seven.

Bet You (Billy Dobson) earned the showspot on Saturday as Artful Way cemented his Pacer of the Year status onceagain. The local star will certainly be a top candidate to be Horse of the Yearin 2017 as well.

Frank Coppola Jr. who piloted the superstar Artful Way to thevictory, had a sensational night. The track’s top driver piled up an amazingseven victories on the card, padding an already insurmountable lead in thedriver standings. Trainer Jackie Greene had four winners on the Saturdayprogram.

Live racing continues on Sundayafternoon at Saratoga with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.