From last to first in the blink of an eye

Natameri (American Ideal) and driver John MacDonald exploded to win the harness racing featured $8,500 Open 1 Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (May 13).

Racine Bell (Josh Kinney) and Lanjo Lee (Barton Dalious) battled all the way to the first quarter as Racine Bell got to the marker first in :26.2.  Lanjo Lee then took over and led to the half in :54.4.  Natameri ($4.00) was last and six off the front at the halfway point.  He then brushed from last to first in the blink of an eye and led to three-quarters in 1:23.0.

As they made the turn for home Racine Bell became the major danger as she came all out on the chase.  Natameri had plenty left in the tank and won easily in 1:51.1.  Racine Bell had to settle for second.  Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) came up to get third.

Natameri is a 5-year-old horse owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by Jessica Okusko.  He is two for two in 2023.  He now has 16 career victories.

NATAMERI REPLAY

John MacDonald drove five winners on the card.  J-Mac got two more wins with trainer Jessica Okusko (three on the card) with Sugaree Express ($2.70), and Syracuse Express ($2.30).  He also added wins with Quaker Hill ($3.00), and Discus Hanover ($6.80).  Dylan Huckabone-Miller had a driving triple as Barton Dalious added a driving double.  Claude Huckabone III had a training double.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (May 19) starting at 4:00 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs