Natameri was a repeat winner in the $11,806 Open Pace at Vernon Downs, taking the Friday, June 5 feature in 1:51.4 with John MacDonald picking up the live catch-drive for trainer Jessica Okusko.
After tracking in third through early fractions of :26.3 and :56.3 put up by Merrow and Chris Long, MacDonald made the winning move with Natameri heading down the backstretch. Natameri quickly took the lead on the way to three-quarters in 1:23.2 and opened up four lengths before coasting home to win by 1-1/2 lengths with the oncoming Primo Uomo (Frank Affrunti) and Handlelikeaporshe (Jimmy Whittemore) finishing in a dead heat for second.
A winner in three of his last four starts in the local Open, Natameri paid $3.98 as the 4-5 favourite. The lion's share of the purse from his 34th career victory bumped his bankroll to $461,143.
The eight-year-old son of American Ideal and Native Daughter is owned by Purple Haze Stables of Fairport, New York.
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, June 6 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
(Standardbred Canada with files from Vernon Downs)