Primo Uomo grabs Open Pace

Primo Uomo (Jeff Gregory) captures the $8,500 featured Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 15).

Primo Uomo ($4.62) charged to the quarter in :27.1.  He used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.2.  Fasnacht Hanover (Rene Goulet) was first to make a move as they headed for the final lap but couldn’t get close as Primo Uomo led to three quarters in 1:24.3.

As they reached the stretch second place finisher Natameri (Jacquavyian Carter) went all out after the leader, but Primo Uomo found another gear and won easily in 1:52.0.  Mayhem Like Me (Tim Deaton) finished third.

PRIMO UOMO REPLAY

Primo Uomo is a 6-year-old gelding by Heston Blue Chip.  He is trained by David Dewhurst for owners Chris and Dale Lawton.  It was his seventh win in 2026.  He now has 38 career victories.

Lancaster Bomber (Jimmy Whittemore) takes the Shari, Carol, and Howard (Sr.) Okusko Memorial Pace.  He is owned by Christina Miller and trained by Bobby Gale.

Hot Joe (Joe Nassimos) wins the Oliver Peterson Memorial Pace.  He is owned by JC’s Get R Done Stable and trained by Kayla Lum.

Jimmy Whittemore, Jeff Gregory, and Chris Long All had driving doubles.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday (August 20) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.  There is no live racing on Friday (August 21) because of Jefferson Starship concert.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs