Shipping in from Yonkers Raceway after finding himself over-matched in a Levy Series preliminary, Harmon Racing's Thatll Be The Rei ($7.50) vaulted clear in the final yards of Saturday (April 18) evening's $10,000 Open Pace at Vernon Downs, scoring in 1:50.2 for his second win of the year.

The five-year-old gelded son of Cheyenne Rei tracked early pacesetters JK Panache (Chris Lems) and Hunchie (Truman Gale) through a strong early pace, drafting a close third through a :54.2 half-mile. While 3-5 favourite Ashleys Husband (Fern Paquet Jr.) sustained a first-over bid on the far turn, Thatll Be The Rei was never in danger of traffic trouble, angled three-wide by Mike Merton in the final eighth of a mile to pounce on the softened JK Panache. Thatll Be The Rei struck the front a sixteenth from home and was driven clear to a three-length win. Ashleys Husband was a game -- but out-kicked -- second, and Hunchie saved third with a mild bid after suffering traffic woes in upper stretch.

Rob Harmon trains Thatll Be The Rei, who scored his 30th career win.

Driver Chuck Connor Jr. and trainer Janice Connor teamed up for a Saturday night hat trick, proving victorious was Mattjesty Bluechip ($8.40, 1:55.3), impressive first-time starter Shadowmisty ($3.30, 1:56.2), and 86-1 longshot Candid Man ($175.50, 1:57.1).

Live racing returns at Vernon Downs on Friday evening, April 24, with first post scheduled for 6:45 p.m. EDT.

(Vernon Downs)