Vernon, NY — Natameri (John MacDonald) easily won the $8,500 featured Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (Sept. 14).
Natameri ($2.10) went straight to the lead and led to the quarter in :26.1. He slowed things down using a :29.4 second quarter to be first to the half in :56. As they rounded the final turn, he just breezed to three-quarters in 1:24. As they reached the stretch, Natameri just took off and left everyone in his dust and won easily in 1:51. Galactic Storm (Jimmy Whittemore) came up to finish second. Le Massif (Steeven Genois) was third.
Natameri is a 6-year-old by American Ideal. He is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by Jessica Okusko. It was his fourth win this season. He now has 24 career victories.
Jimmy Whittemore and Frank Affrunti had driving triples.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Sept. 20) starting at 6:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.