Oh My Joepa was victorious in the $11,400 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, September 30.
Mister Daytona grabbed the lead and carved out fractions of :27. 3, :56.2, and 1:23.4. Oh My Joepa, following in the pocket all the way to the stretch, popped off the rail and blew by to in in 1:50.3. Owned and trained by driver John MacDonald, the nine-year-old's 1:50.3 was a lifetime best. Mister Daytona held on to finish second as Golden Gun finished third.
Oh My Joepa, paying $10.00 to win, won for the 14th time this season and the 45th time in his career.
MacDonald, winning five races total on the card, scored his other wins came with Hurricane Howard ($3.70), Cam's Lucky Sam ($3.10), A Fool For Mark ($3.20), Apollo Seelster ($7.50).
The third-race Saturday at Vernon Downs honoured long-time starting gate driver Mike Finley, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. Finley was honored by drivers, trainers, owners, fellow employees, fans, family and friends. Finley was loved by everyone who knew him. The Mike Finley Memorial Race was won by Tundra with driver Truman Gale.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday, October 5 with a nine-race card starting at 6:45 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)