Natameri ($2.10) and driver John MacDonald easily won the $11,486 Open Handicap Pace as the favouritre in a short field scratched down to four at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Natameri crossed to command and sped to the quarter in :26.2. He then slowed things down using a :29.4 second quarter to be first to the half in :56. As the pacers rounded the final turn, Natameri breezed to three-quarters in 1:24. He took off turning for home and left everyone in his dust as he hit the wire in 1:51. In the race for place 6-3/4 lengths behind the winner, Galactic Storm (Jimmy Whittemore) got up to finish second over Le Massif (Steeven Genois).

Natameri is a six-year-old son of American Ideal with 24 career wins, including four of his 10 starts this season, for trainer Jessica Okusko and owner Purple Haze Stables.

Live harness racing resumes at Vernon Downs on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)