Jackie Greene trainee back in town

Defending harness racing Horse of the Year Artful Way (Artistic Fella) made his return to Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday night to compete in the $14,500 Open Pace.

The Jackie Greene trainee owned three local Open victories in 2018 before going out of town to compete for the last two months.

On Saturday night, Artful Way was assigned the outside post position in the Open in his return to town but that became post five after a scratch.

Frank Coppola Jr. powered the six year old star out to the early lead and despite going a first quarter in a sizzling 26.2 and a half in 55 seconds, Artful Way paced away from this rivals to win in an eye-popping 1:50.2.

The win time was the fastest for any horse at Saratoga this year.

Texas Terror N (Bruce Aldrich Jr) sat the pocket to Artful Way on Saturday and wound up as the Open's runner-up while invader Chumlee A (Larry Stalbaum) earned the show spot.

Artful Way was the betting public's 3-5 favorite in what was not only his fourth victory in the local Open this season but his eighth 2018 score overall.

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

Mike Sardella