by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Hotel Casino

Saratoga, NY — JK Panache (Art Major) continued his terrific stretch on Saturday night (March 17) when the Dave Dewhurst trainee prevailed in the $12,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

JK Panache takes advantage of his situation to score on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The 9-year-old pacer has been on the board in each of his starts dating back to last summer and began his 2018 campaign with four consecutive starts in the money in the Spa feature heading into Saturday night. With defending Horse of the Year Artful Way not in town to compete this week, JK Panache proved that he could still be the star of the show as he went out and won in 1:53.1 on a cold March night in the Spa City.

Jim Devaux piloted JK Panache and moved the 8-5 second choice in the betting out to the early lead. Around the final turn, the veteran got passed by a first-over rival, but when that one never got clear, JK Panache rallied back and drew clear in the stretch before registering his 56th career victory. The favored Texas Terror N (Bruce Aldrich Jr) finished second while Givenupdreaming (Billy Dobson) came on to finish third.

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