After winning every panel, Syracuse Express (John MacDonald) nipped the big favourite Tomas (Artie Dick) at the wire to capture the $8,500 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Monday (Sept. 4).
Syracuse Express ($14.40) charged right out of the gate and went straight to the front. He was first to the quarter in :26.4 and then used a :28.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.2. He started to open up on the lead en route to the three-quarters in 1:22.3 and, as they made the turn for home, Syracuse Express played 'catch me if you can'. Tomas made his move going all out after the lead. Syracuse Express dug in as Tomas kept coming and got to the finish line first in a lifetime best of 1:51.1. Tomas had to settle for second money while Avion Seelster (Billy Dobson) finished third.
Syracuse Express is a four-year-old horse by American Ideal owned by James DeArmond, Sal Vullo and trainer Jessica Okusko. The win was his fifth this season and his 11th career victory.
MacDonald and Steeven Genois each had driving triples. Michelle Warner had a training double.
Live racing returns on Friday (Sept. 8) at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)