Vernon, N.Y. -- Following a third-place effort behind Luck
Be Withyou on the Gerrity undercard at Saratoga last week, JK Panache ($5.60)
bounced back to capture his 40th career win in Saturday (July 30) evening's
featured $10,000 Open/Preferred Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs.
Chris Lems sent the 7-year-old Art Major gelding right to
the front from an assigned outside post, sprinting clear of a pressing All
Stienam (John MacDonald) through a :26 first quarter. Despite a lack of
pressure through the middle half, JK Panache maintained a solid clip through
middle splits of :54.3 and 1:22.1 before bracing for a challenge from 5-4
favorite Jacksrluckytoo (Greg Merton) off the far turn. While Jacksrluckytoo
was able to just collar pocket foe All Stienam in the battle for second, JK
Panache evaded his five foes in strong fashion, posting a :26.4 closing quarter
to cap his two-length 1:49 triumph.
Trainer David Dewhurst co-owns JK Panache with Philip Hale.
The sub-featured $7,500 Miracle Mile pacing event went to
Jet Airway ($4.50), who kicked cover off the far turn to best an under-pressure
That'll Be the Rei in 1:51. Atlee Bender gave the 5-year-old Jereme's Jet
entire a cozy second-over trip behind Pantheon Hanover before making his move
to collar dueling leaders in mid-stretch. Trainer Erv Miller co-owns Jet Airway
with Tangie Massey, Paul Sunderhaus, and Larry Agle.
Racing returns to Vernon Downs on Thursday (August 4), with
post time slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
