Shadwell Stable’s Shakis turned back to a mile and an eighth and rode the hedge home to set a Mellon Course record Saturday afternoon, winning the 49th running of the Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on Travers Day.

With Irish-bred Ballast setting an ambitious pace of :23.10, :47.10 and 1:10.11 on the firm course, jockey Alan Garcia was happy to be saving ground with Shakis from post 1. The rail was down, and they stayed close to the hedge.

Ballast and jockey Ramon Dominguez took the lead into the lane, but as soon as they drifted over, Shakis shot through the hole for the three-quarter-length victory in 1:45.33. That broke the old course record of 1:45.40, set first by Tentam (August. 10, 1973) and later tied by Waya (August 21, 1978).

“They went faster than I thought they would,” said winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, whose charge returned $12.60 to win. “There was a lot of pace. I don’t think the pace was as big a deal as the trip. He’s a real professional seven-year-old. He has done everything right in the past. I was happy he was willing, and he had plenty to get through the inside. I just didn’t think he would get 11 furlongs last time (in the Bowling Green). We’ll keep him at eight or nine furlongs.”

Garcia will be happy to go along for the ride.

“It was one of the biggest wins of my career,” he said. “I wanted to put him in the best position I could. I was not intimidated by being behind horses. In the early part, I expected some horses to go that didn’t.”

Big Prairie got up at 22-1 to be second under jockey Javier Castellano.

“I’m really happy with the way he ran today,” Castellano said. “The trainer (George “Rusty” Arnold) told me the horse was doing really well, and I rode him with confidence. My horse ran a big race last time at Monmouth, but it wasn’t the best track for him. Today, he was beautiful.”

Drum Major was third, followed by Ballast and favored Cosmonaut.

“I thought he went well, but he was giving the winner six pounds,” said Cosmonaut’s trainer, Patrick Biancone. “I think that made the difference.”

Woodlander, Stay Close, Silver Whistle, Linda’s Lad and Gun Salute trailed.

Evening Attire, entered for the main track only, was scratched, as was Karelian and Outperformance.