Newcomer Pacinello proved the best in Saturday afternoon’s $9,000 featured Open Pace at Vernon Downs

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A consistent winner at California’s Cal-Expo mile track earlier in the campaign for trainer Rick Plano, Pacinello found Vernon’s 7/8ths-mile oval to his liking, as well. With former Downs driving champion Dude Goodblood, Jr. doing the steering in Saturday’s eighth event, the homebred Little Steven - Princess Klara sophomore colt took over from early pace-setter Smoky Bonz going to the half, and then gradually drew off for a convincing 4-3/4 length victory in 1:54.

As the crowd wagering choice, Pacinello paid $3.50 after recording his seventh score in 12 season’s starts. The D&E Racing/breeding group still owns the career winner of 55,750.

Jimmy Whittemore, the meet’s second-leading dash-winning driver, completed his 11th local double of 2009 after guiding Rocco Manzi’s four-year-old pacer Kingsandqueens to a 1:55 tally in the day’s $7,000 sixth session, the week’s Open-2 contest. Former multiple Downs training champ Lonny Hale conditions the 12-time lifetime winner.

Jim Bailey also picked up a pair of first-place finishes during the Independence Day nine-race card.

The Downs will present four Tuesday cards in July, the 7th, 14th, 21st and 27th, with each starting at 6 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)