Vernon, NY — Tomas and Artie Dick charged late to capture the $10,000 70th Anniversary Open Pace on Saturday (July 1) at Vernon Downs.
Syracuse Express (John MacDonald) grabbed the lead and was first to the quarter in :26.2. He used a :29.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.4. Warrawee Unique was first to make a move and challenged for the lead going around the final turn, but Syracuse Express was first to three-quarters in 1:23.2.
Tomas ($5.30) made a three-wide move as they made the turn for home. Second-place finisher Syracuse Express gave everything he had, but Tomas blew on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:50.2. Chateroll (Frank Affrunti) finished third.
Tomas is a 6-year-old gelding by Art Major owned by White Yeti Racing and trained by Dick. He is now three-for-three in 2023. He now has eight career victories.
Discus Hanover (Roman Lopez) took the $7,500 Jim Moran Trot.
Life Well Lived (Frank Affrunti) was first to the quarter in :28. Discus Hanover ($3.20) took over control as they headed to the backstretch. He was first to the half in :58.3 and he breezed to three-quarters in 1:27.3.
As they reached the stretch, second-place finisher Lepanto (Barton Dalious) went all-out after the lead, but Discus Hanover was too strong and won in 1:56.1. Poker Play (Steeven Genois) was third.
Discus Hanover is a 6-year-old gelding by Credit Winner owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst. It was his fourth win this season and 36th career victory.
Stewardoftheland (Claude Huckabone Jr.) won the $6,500 Political Friends of Vernon Downs Pace.
Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) laid down early fractions of :26.4, :56.1 and 1:24.4.
As the reached the stretch, Stewardoftheland ($7.90) came flying like a freight train and went on by to win in 1:52.4. Major Leaguer had to settle for second. Last Call Larry (Barton Dalious) was third best.
Stewardoftheland is a 4-year-old gelding by Huntsville owned and trained by David Koslowsky. It was his fourth win this season. He now has eight career victories.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (July 7) starting at 4 p.m.
For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.