Vlos and driver Fern Paquet, Jr. captured Monday evening’s featured $16,500 Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Starting from post position six, Paquet made and uncharacteristic move with Vlos and took him off the gate to settle in last as the field went by the opening quarter in :27.1. As the field headed towards the half, Vlos inherited the fifth-place position as Pacinello (Luke Plano) made a break past the three eighth’s mile mark of the race. The field of pacers reached the half mile mark of the race in :55 led up top by Eastend Eddie (Keith Kamann) as Vlos began the first over journey from fifth.
As the field headed by the three quarter mile mark of the race in 1:23, Paquet was right at the throat of the leader and was pressing on around the final turn. At the top of the stretch Vlos was asked for more and he responded opening up to win by three quarters of a length in 1:51. Sheer Brilliance (Lewayne Miller) found room late in the stretch after a two hole trip to finish second, while Home Again Dragon (Phil Fluet) got up for third.
The eight-year-old son of Dragon Again-Sweet Tender is owned by Bella Rosa Racing LLC of New Jersey and is trained by Eric Mollor.
(Tioga Downs)