by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity
JK Panache (Art Major-Paris Hanover) hadn't won a race since
his last try at Vernon Downs on August 2. He returned to the Winner's Circle in
emphatic fashion in the $10,000 feature race on Saturday night, pulling away in
the stretch to win in 1:50.2.
JK Panache (Chris Lems) sat in mid-pack early on as T's
Electric (Claude Huckabone III) set fast fractions with a 25.4 quarter and a
53.4 half. JK Panache had to move three-wide to get a clear shot at the leader
as the field passed the half-mile mark. He had plenty of momentum by the time
he made the far turn and had taken the lead, going past three-quarters in
1:21.1. Moonlight Ransom (John Macdonald) sat third through the early part of
the race and had been in between horses when JK Panache went three-wide.
It was at this point that he also moved forwardly. While he couldn't keep up
with JK Panache, Moonlight Ransom did finish second while Cactus Jack (Truman
Gale) came on for third.
The complete order of finish was: JK Panache, Moonlight
Ransom, Cactus Jack, Hot Shot Lawyer, Sailing Cruise, Six Gun, and T's
Electric.
JK Panache is owned by Philip Hale of New Hartford, New York
and David Dewhurst of Clinton, New York. David Dewhurst is also the trainer.
Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs with an 11-race
program on Thursday night. Post time is 6:45pm.
