Handlelikeaporsche was in the driver's seat from start to finish in the $12,143 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, July 4 and recorded a seasonal-best score.

The six-year-old rushed out to the lead and faced no challenges while putting up fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.1. Aaron Byron issued just one reminder to Handlelikeaporsche down the lane as the gelding cruised to victory in 1:50.3. Primo Uomo (Leon Bailey) was 1-3/4 lengths back in second off a pocket trip, with Merrow (Chris Long) third.

Handlelikeaporsche, a son of Lazarus N-The Signature, is four-for-18 this year for trainer Melissa Beckwith and owner Pollack Racing LLC. He tallied his 16th win in 99 starts on Saturday. The win price was $3.08.

Chris Long drove five winners on the card, teaming up twice with four-time winning trainer Michelle Warner. They combined to win with Escape The House ($7.30) and Valor ($5.56), and Long also scored with Special Pete ($4.18), Good Rockin ($3.84) and Boston Jive ($2.66). The quintet of winner's circle visits brought Long's seasonal total to 94 victories from 725 starts.

Warner's other two winners were Yo Jo ($19.52) and Artic Thunder ($34.60), both driven by Steeven Genois. She is 36-for-265 this year and moved up to a tie for third in the Vernon trainers' standings with Saturday's grand slam.

Racing returns to Vernon on Friday, July 10 with a post time of 5:05 p.m. There is no live racing on Saturday, but there will a card on Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)