Sophomore pacer Primo Uomo ($4.40) and driver John MacDonald won the featured $8,500 Winners Over Pace on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Vernon Downs.
Primo Uomo swooped to the lead from the outside post seven and was first to the quarter in :27.3 then backed down the pace to the half in :57.2 and three-quarters in 1:26.4. Meanwhile, Rally Your Crew (Barton Dalious) was first to make a move from fourth going around the final turn but couldn't sustain his bid as Primo Uomo continued to lead into the stretch, leaving the favoured pocket-sitter, Bluesville (Tom Merton), as the major danger. Bluesville popped the pocket and went all out after the leader, but Primo Uomo was too strong and prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3 with a :26.4 final frame. Nolaughingstock (Claude Huckabone III) rounded out the top three more than seven lengths behind.
A one-time winner as a freshman, Primo Uomo collected the 14th win of his sophomore season from 27 starts; only five other Standardbreds racing in North America have won more races this year. David Dewhurst trains the photogenic gelding by Heston Blue Chip for owners Chris and Dale Lawton.
Tom Merton drove three winners on the card. John MacDonald, Mark Whitcroft and Truman Gale had driving doubles. Jeff Byron and Cheryl Whitcroft had training doubles.
Live harness racing returns on Friday, Nov. 3 at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)