Ontario-sired Oh No Three O was sent off as the even-money favourite by the betting public in the $10,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday night and he rewarded their support with a win in 1:54.
Oh No Three O (Fern Paquet Jr.) trailed the field through the early fractions of :27.1 for the quarter and :55.3 for the half, while A Penny Earned (Chris Lems) was setting the pace. Oh No Three O benefited from live cover from Evil Urges (Jimmy Whittemore), who moved first-over as the field went up the backstretch. Evil Urges, in fact, made the lead as the field passed three-quarters in 1:24. A Penny Earned tried to fight back, but Oh No Three O made a strong charge down the outside to out-finish the field of five and score the victory. Evil Urges was home second. A Penny Earned was actually passed at the end by Helios (Claude Huckabone III) for third.
The complete order of finish was: Oh No Three O, Evil Urges, Helios, A Penny Earned, and Wild And Crazy Guy.
Oh No Three O (Ken Warkentin-Melinda Hall) is owned by Charlene Long of Vestal, New York. Paul Long is the trainer.
Live racing at Vernon Downs will resume on Saturday night with a 13-race program. The second race is the $10,000 Open Preferred feature pace. Pennsylvania invader Colby Jate (Jate Lobell-Cam Press Shania) is the 6-5 favourite in the field of five. Aaron Byron is scheduled to drive. Post time on Saturday night is 6:45 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)