Gregory and Gregory made for a predictably dynamic duo on Sunday, June 21 at Vernon Downs as driver Jeff Gregory steered four-year-old pacing stallion Gregory to victory in the $11,972 Open Handicap Pace.
Primo Uomo (Frank Affrunti) took the lead entering the first turn and led to the quarter in :27.2 and half in :56.1 with the Team Gregory sitting fourth. Gregory made his move at the midway point, hustled up uncovered on the last turn, and edged ahead of Primo Uomo as they raced to three-quarters in 1:24.2. He cleared the pacesetter straightening for home and sprinted down the lane to a 1-3/4-length victory over Belmont Royale N (Dylan Huckabone-Miller). Merrow (Chris Long) was third.
Gregory, the son of American Ideal-Upfrontandpersonal, and the reinsman of the same name have excelled as a partnership, winning seven of nine starts together. The Jessica Okusko trainee, now nine-for-13 lifetime, has ascended the Vernon class ladder this season and won his first Open start on Sunday. He has five victories in seven outings this year for owners Purple Haze Stables LLC and Howard Okusko Jr. The win price was $4.12.
Jimmy Whittemore remained red-hot with a driving hat trick on the 10-race card. Truman Gale had a driving double. Trainers Jessica Okusko and Ken Dawson both sent out two winners.
Vernon Downs will host its next card on Friday, June 26 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)