So Amazing, Natameri top Spa card

So Amazing (So Surreal, Steeven Genois) and Natameri (American Ideal, John MacDonald) grabbed the harness racing co-features at Vernon Downs on Monday (September 5).

So Amazing ($14.60) captured the $9,200 Fillies & Mares Open Pace.

So Amazing went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :27.3.  She used a :31.3 second quarter and was first to the half in :59.1.  Luck B Mine (Chris Long) was first to make a move going first-over heading to the final turn.  So Amazing was first to three-quarters in 1:27.3.

As they made the turn for home Dudes Sweet Bet (John MacDonald) became the major threat as she popped the pocket and went all out after So Amazing.  So Amazing had plenty left and won in 1:54.3.  Dudes Sweet Bet had to settle for second best.  Treasurethosechips (Leon Bailey) finished third.

So Amazing is a 4-year-old mare.  She is owned by Big Sky Ranch and Rita Scharman.  It was her second win this season.  She now has 13 career victories.

Natameri ($3.60) charged late to take the $9,200 Open 1 Pace.

Lanjo Lee (Leon Bailey) went right to the lead and led to the quarter in :27.3.  He used a :30.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.0.  Lets Roll (Frank Affrunti) came first up heading around the final turn but he couldn’t get close.  Lanjo Lee led to three-quarters in 1:27.3.

As they reached the stretch Lanjo Lee still held the lead but Natameri made his move going first up.  Second place finisher Lanjo Lee dug in but Natameri just kept coming and just slipped by to win in 1:54.1.  Regal Escape (Chris Long) finished third.

Natameri is a 4-year-old. She is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by Jessica Okusko.  It was her sixth win in 2022.  She now has 12 career victories.

MacDonald and Genois each drove three winners on the card.  Jessica Okusko had a training double.

Vernon Downs returns to Live racing on Friday (September 9) with a 10 race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs