The favourite Pacinello won out in a head-to-head stretch duel with third wagering choice, Mata Harry, before posting a neck victory in Saturday night’s $10,000 featured Open-1 Pace at Vernon Downs

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Luke Plano, who completed a driving double with the 1:52.1 triumph, sat in for his father, trainer Rick Plano, as Pacinello ($5.60) raced overland from fifth in the early going, and closed from third in the stretch to out-stride the pocket-sitting Mata Harry in a :26.4 final quarter. The mile-cutter, Mystical Valentine, ended up third in the ninth race.

Saturday’s first-place finish was the third at the meet, fifth this season and 25th all-time for the five-year-old son of Little Steven-Princess Kiara, who is owned by the D&E Racing Stable of Las Vegas, Nevada. The career winner of more than $274,000 also provided trainer Plano with one of two first-place finishes during the 12-race program.

Fastest-mile-of-the-night honours went to Maryann Plano’s five-year-old pacer Hay Goodlooking, who front-ended his way to a 1:52 victory with Luke steering for his dad in Saturday’s $8,000 fifth event, the weekend’s Open-2 contest.

(Vernon Downs)