Saratoga Springs, NY — Moonshine Kisses was named Pacer of the Year for the 2022 season at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Jackie Greene trainee was a force in the Open despite only competing locally in just over half of his starts last season. After being a beaten favorite last week (Feb 18), Moonshine Kisses drew post eight for his try in the $17,000 Open Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 25).

Moonshine Kisses rebounded in the feature at Saratoga on Saturday. Jessica Hallett Photo.

Driver Jay Randall sat patiently in the early going with the standout, content to get away last in the eight-horse feature. The fractions were fast and as the closers started to make their move, it was quickly apparent that Moonshine Kisses was going to be a big time threat in the stretch. Randall unleashed the seven year old approaching the three-quarter pole and the star pacer took it from there. Moonshine Kisses overcame a deficit of more than a dozen lengths to score in 1:53 over a track labeled ‘good.’

Uncle Jord A (Shawn Gray) was a strong second in his second local start while the favored Optical Illusion N (Chris Long) had to settle for third. Moonshine Kisses paid $9.30 to win in the mild upset and led an exacta and triple that returned $52.50 and $116, respectively. The winner is owned by Kellogg Racing Stables LLC of Queensbury, NY.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that starts at Noon.