Local favourite Diamond Stick Pin lowered the local season’s speed standard to 1:52 with his explosive victory in Saturday night’s $9,500 Open Pace at Vernon Downs

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Off as the second wagering choice, Diamond Stick Pin rallied from third in the early going, began to challenge entering the homestretch and then closed with momentum to defeat the on-rushing Home Again Dragon by one and a half lengths.

Saturday’s score was the second in six season’s starts for the six-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight-Silksndiamonds, who is shared in ownership by Conrad Zurich, Edwin Gold and Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables.

Diamond Stick Pin’s 21st lifetime victory gave driver Chris Lems and trainer Jessica Okusko three first-place finished during Saturday’s 12-race card.

Okusko’s other win credits were provided by the pacer Majors Centerfold (1:58.1) and trotter Belles Of Churton (2:01.4).

(Vernon Downs)