Crombie A (Life Sign) prevailed in his first attempt at the local Open Pace at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Saturday night.
The Rene Allard-trained Australian bred pacer made his US debut in June, scoring a victory at Saratoga in the conditional ranks.
Following two wins at Yonkers, Crombie A returned to the Spa to compete in Saturday's $18,000 pacing feature and wound up outpacing his rivals in a final half paced in 55.3.
Billy Dobson piloted the nine year old pacer to his fourth win in his seven starts here in the States.
Panocchio (Gerry Mattison) followed the winner's cover as long as he could before Crombie A cleared the lead and drew away.
Panocchio was the runner up in the mile paced in 1:52, a time that matches the fastest of the season thus far at the Spa.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:45pm.
Mike Sardella