Purameri ($3.10) was an easy winner in the featured $6,600 Open 3 Pace for fillies and mares on Friday night (June 3) at Vernon Downs. 

Driven by Justin Huckabone, the two-time Massachusetts Sires Stakes champion fired off a first quarter in :26.4 then slowed things way down with a :30.2 second quarter to hit the half in :57.1.  

Sweet Style (Adam Capizzano) was first to make a move around the final turn as Purameri led to three-quarters in 1:26.3.   

As they made the turn for home, Purameri shook off Sweet Style but then Milleniums Girl (Josh Kinney) became the major danger from the pocket. However, Purameri was too tough and won in 1:54.3 by three-quarters of a length.  Milleniums Girl was second-best and Sweet Style finished third.  

Purameri is a four-year-old mare by American Ideal.  The career winner of more than $200,000 is owned by Purple Haze Stables and trained by Jessica Okusko.  The win was her first of the season from three outings and improved her lifetime record to 7-7-4 from 32 starts.

Vernon Downs leading driver Justin Huckabone swept the co-features, also scoring with Da Boogie Man ($4.90) in 1:55.2 in a $6,600 conditioned trot. He also won with Win And Dream ($3.20) and Kisses From Above ($9.90) to complete a driving grand slam.

Live harness racing continues at Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 4) with a nine-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.   

(With files from Vernon Downs)