Primo Uomo went gate-to-wire to take the featured $11,806 Open Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Jeff Gregory placed Primo Uomo on the lead, and the Heston Blue Chip-Primadonna gelding set the fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.3 unopposed. He edged clear of pocket-sitter Natameri (Jacquavyian Carter) in the stretch to a final margin of 2-1/4 lengths in the 1:52 victory. Mayhem Like Me (Tim Deaton) was third.

The six-year-old Primo Uomo is trained by David Dewhurst for owners Chris and Dale Lawton. He is now 37-for-141 lifetime. The win price was $4.62.

Lear Seelster rolled to his 50th career victory in the ninth race on the card. Chris Long had the 3-2 favourite sixth through :26.2 and :55.3 early fractions, then pulled him out and latched onto the cover of Yru So Sirius (Rene Goulet) to three-quarters in 1:25.1. Yru So Sirius gained separation on the final turn, but Lear Seelster tracked that foe down and won by three-quarters of a length over the closing Ucanttouchthis (Ron Harp) in 1:54.1. Yru So Sirius finished third.

Lear Seelster reached the 50-win milestone in his 333rd start while increasing his bankroll to $392,388. The 11-year-old Mach Three-Latest News gelding is trained by Gary Gibson for Marianna Monaco. He paid $5.10 to win.

Lancaster Bomber took the the Shari, Carol, and Howard (Sr.) Okusko Memorial Pace with Jimmy Whittemore in the sulky. Bobby Gale trains the gelding for Christina Miller.

Hot Joe won the Oliver Peterson Memorial Pace. Joe Nassimos drove the gelding for owner JC’s Get R Done Stable and trainer Kayla Lum.

Whittemore, Gregory, and Long All had driving doubles on the nine-race card.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Thursday with a post time of 5:05 p.m. There is no live racing on Friday because of the Jefferson Starship concert.

(With files from Vernon Downs)