Artful Way is the two-time defending Pacer of the Year and reigning Horse of the Year at Saratoga Casino Hotel and on Saturday night, the track’s standout pacer made the familiar trek to the winner’s circle once again. The Jackie Greene-trained Artful Way recorded his sixth win in the local Open Pace on Saturday night as the six year old went coast to coast in the $18,000 feature. Frank Coppola Jr. marched the local star out to the early lead in a first quarter of 27.1 but then got to back the tempo down a bit before reaching the half in 56.3 and checking in at three quarters in 1:25.1. Artful Way stopped the timer in 1:53 in what was his thirteenth victory of the season, nearly half of which have come in the local Open. Invader Military Master A (Mark Beckwith) shook loose late and flew up the inside for second while All Artist (Billy Dobson) earned the show spot in the Saturday feature. Artful Way, who was the public’s 3-5 betting favorite in the win, became the second horse to record six Open Pace victories this season at the Spa joining Carolina Beach who last won the local feature earlier in the month. The race between those two for 2018 Pacer of the Year is something to watch as we move forward into the final few months of the racing season at Saratoga.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
