Diamond Stick Pin re-established himself as pacing King-of-the-Hill following his narrow victory over newcomer Melvyn in Saturday night’s $9,500 featured Open Pace at Vernon Downs

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Two-time defending Downs driving champ Jimmy Whittemore did the teaming for trainer Jessica Okusko in the week’s Open contest as Diamond Stick Pin ($5.70) drafted immediately behind the pacesetting Poker Hat until the half, timed in :55.2.

After Melvyn came a callin’ from fifth to take the lead entering the final furlong, Diamond Stick Pin shook loose from the pocket and closed like a gate in the wind to snare a nose triumph in 1:51.1, equalling his career-best win mark.

The fast-closing finish was his third in Open competition at the 17-program meeting, his fourth in 11 current outings and the 23rd all-time for the six-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Silksndiamonds, who is shared in ownership by Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables, Conrad Zurich and Edwin J. Gold. The career winner of $438,933 hasn’t finished worse than second in five starts at the meet dating back to April 28.

Whittemore finished Saturday’s 12-race card with three tallies, tying with Rick Plano, who also recorded a triple, at 21 for second place on this season’s dash-winning chart. Chris Lems, the current driving leader with 30 first-place credits, recorded a pair of Saturday scores.

(Vernon Downs)