Track record-holder Pacinello pulled off another Open Handicap Pace victory in Saturday night’s $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs
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With Rick Plano as the pilot, Pacinello ($10) paced to the lead before the quarter, then got shuffled back into the pocket as the favourite, Riggins, took charge and led until the final furlong.
Pacinello, two lengths back enter the stretch drive, responded with a :26.3 final quarter to defeat the on-rushing Thanks For Stoppin by two lengths in the week’s Open-1 contest, Riggins faded to third in the 1:51.2 mile.
Saturday’s score was the second in succession, the seventh this season (fifth at the Downs) and 27th all-time for the five-year-old son of Little Steven-Princess Kiara, who is owned by the D&E Racing stable. The career-winner of more than $287,100 set a 1:50.2 Vernon standard for aged pacing horses back on July 23.
Plano finished up with three wins during Saturday’s 12-race program, as did driver Fern Paquet, Jr. Driver Claude Huckabone, III collected a pair of first-place finishes during the track’s 66th racing card.
(With files from Vernon Downs)