Saratoga Springs, NY — Nuttin But Finesse (Art Major) enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, one in which he won nine times and earned just shy of $90,000 en route to becoming a nominee for Pacer of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Nuttin But Finesse hit the wire first in 1:53. Jessica Hallett photo.

The Janice Connor trainee won the Open Pace twice in ’22 and began his 2023 campaign squaring off against the track’s top pacers again. Nuttin But Finesse posted a third and a second-place finish in his two starts leading up to Saturday night’s try in the $17,000 Open Pace.

Leon Bailey piloted the 5-year-old who powered out to the early lead and enjoyed soft fractions in the first half of the feature, coasting through lap one in :57.4 before being confronted by a rival in what would be a sizzling third quarter of :26.4.

Nuttin But Finesse registered his third career win in the Saratoga Open when he hit the wire first in 1:53 in Saturday’s feature after drawing away from his rivals to score by a decisive four lengths. Im No Outlaw N (Jay Randall) sat the pocket to the winner and wound up as the runner-up while Uncle Jord A (Shawn Gray) earned the show spot.

Nuttin But Finesse paid $8.80 to win in the mild upset and led an exacta and triple that returned $71 and $181.50, respectively.

The winner is owned by the partnership of Janice Connor, John Stronka, Scott McGee and Robert Lovett.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that begins at noon.