The $10,000 Open Pace feature at Vernon Downs on Thursday night came down to a photo finish that was won by Ontario-sired Seascape Hanover in a final time of 1:51.3.

The hard-luck runner-up was Ugly Betty (John Macdonald), who had led from the outset of the race. The fractions were fairly quick with a quarter of :26.1 seconds, the half covered in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.2. Ugly Betty showed no signs of fatigue in the stretch though after setting that snappy pace.

Seascape Hanover (Aaron Byron) had a perfect trip in the pocket behind the leader and tipped outside on the far turn. She managed to wear down Ugly Betty through the stretch and just got her nose on the wire in time for the victory. Upfront Secret (Chris Lems) was first-over on the backstretch, but her rally stalled as the field reached the far turn. This forced Asset Management (Fern Paquet Jr.), who was second-over, three-wide. Asset Management still was able to close well enough to finish third.

The complete order of finish was: Seascape Hanover, Ugly Betty, Asset Management, Table Games, Artic Byrd, Love You Bye, and Upfront Secret.

Seascape Hanover (Camluck-Skateboard) is owned by Tessa Roland of Grinnell, Iowa and Mark Jakubik of West Seneca, New York. The trainer is Mario Dessureault. The win on Thursday night was the fourth win in the last five starts at Vernon Downs for Seascape Hanover.

Live racing at Vernon Downs will resume on Friday night with a 12-race program that includes two New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. The purse for each division will be $59,100. The program also includes two New York Excelsior "A" Series races and three New York Excelsior "B" Series races. Post time is 6:45 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)