While he employed vastly different tactics from his victory last week, the result was the same for Oh No Three O ($4.60) in Friday (October 3) evening's $10,000 Open Trot at Vernon Downs.
The Paul Long-trained Ken Warkentin gelding floated forward from post six, accelerating clear of Aruba Vacation (Aaron Byron) through a strong :27 first quarter before pulling the tempo back immediately. With three-eighths to go, and Helios (Claude Huckabone, III) commencing a mild but steady first-over gain, Oh No Three O accelerated clear to a three-length lead, holding that margin through mid-stretch. In the final sixteenth, Helios chased more stoutly, and Fern Paquet Jr. kept Oh No Three O to task for a one and three-quarter length win, stopping the timer in 1:54. Pounce K (John MacDonald) stayed on after tracking cover to hold third.
Oh No Three O's victory was his seventh on the season and the 16th for his career.
Chris Lems led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card, while Paquet scored a double on the evening.
(Vernon Downs)