JK Panache in hot form

Just two weeks ago, JK Panache (Art Major) matched the track record for aged gelding pacers at the harness racing meeting at Saratoga Casino and Raceway with an Open score in 1:50.1.

On Saturday night, the Dave Dewhurst trainee came up just a fifth of a second shy of his own mark as he romped in the $18,000 Open Pace with Wally Hennessey in the sulky.

The six year old pacer is in the midst of a career year and has now won three consecutive times in the local Saturday feature.

Hennessey moved JK Panache to the early lead and even after a fast first half put up in 55.4, closed in a back half of 54.3 en route to the open length score.

Spinarama (Austin Siegelman), who sat the pocket behind the winner until the favorite paced away from him late, finished second while longshot Martial Bliss (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot.

JK Panache went over the $300,000 mark in career earnings after recording his eighth victory of the season.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday night at Saratoga with a first post time of 7:05pm.

Melissa Simser