Vernon, NY — Primo Uomo (Leon Bailey) captured the featured $8,500 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (Oct. 26).
Primo Uomo ($2.70) went straight to the front, but Mask On Mask Off (Jimmy Whittemore) took over the lead to the :27.2 quarter. Primo Uomo took the lead back heading to the backstretch and was first to the half in :56.4. He cruised to three-quarters in 1:24.4.
As they reached the stretch, second-place finisher Mask On Mask Off gave everything he had, but Primo Uomo was too strong and won easily in 1:52.3. Feelin American (Lee Morris) finished third.
Primo Uomo is a 4-year-old gelding by Heston Blue Chip trained by David Dewhurst for owners Chris and Dale Lawton. It was his seventh win this season. He now has 24 career victories.
Leon Bailey and Jimmy Whittemore had driving triples. Jessica Okusko, Claude Huckabone III, Leopold Sawyers and Robert Gale all had training doubles.
Samsun Of A Beach (Steeven Genois) won the R. Thomas Suarez and Bernie Waugh Memorial Pace.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Nov. 1) starting at 3:05 p.m.
For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.