Artful Way’s unbelievable run in the Open Pace continued on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel- a run that has lasted three years! The Jackie Greene trainee was at it again on Saturday as he got away last in the $20,000 Open Pace at the Spa. Driver Frank Coppola Jr. sat patiently with the superstar pacer before moving him second-over approaching the half. Following the live cover of another perennial star JK Panache (Shawn Gray), Artful Way tipped off his cover around the final turn and surged before getting up in just the nick of time. The six year old stopped the timer in 1:52.4 in what was his ninth win in the local Open this year and sixteenth victory on the season overall. The Pacer of the Year at Saratoga in ’16 and the Pacer and Horse of the Year in ’17, Artful Way is putting the finishing touches on what will be his third consecutive award for top local pacers. JK Panache continued the big year of his own with a second-place finish in the feature while Itsonlyrocknroll A (Larry Stalbaum) earned the show spot. Artful Way returned $5.70 to win as the race’s second-choice in the wagering and led an exacta and triple that paid $15.20 and $60, respectively.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a first post time set for 12:15pm. lla
Mike Sardella
Photo by: Mikayla Gray
