by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media
Charlene Long's Oh No Three O ($4.30) withstood a strong
challenge from A Penny Earned, extending his winning streak to three with a
1:54.1 triumph in Friday (October 10) evening's $10,000 Open Handicap Trot at
Vernon Downs.
Assigned the outside post in a field of seven, Howard
Okusko, Jr. sent the seven-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding right to the front,
pushing clear of Helios (Claude Huckabone, III) and Aruba Vacation (Aaron
Byron) to establish an uncontested lead through a rated :56.4 half mile.
On the approach to the far turn, Oh No Three O saw his lead slip to a
half-length, as A Penny Earned (Chris Lems) commenced a stout first-over
challenge. The two were heads apart past three-quarters in 1:24.3, but Oh
No Three O would not be denied a third straight win, edging clear to a 1-1/2
length win. Helios chased at the pegs to hold second off his pocket trip,
while A Penny Earned flattened to third.
Paul Long trains Oh No Three O, and the featured win was one
of three driving scores for Okusko. Fern Paquet, Jr. also tallied a
driving hat trick on the evening's 11-race card.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (October 11)
evening, with first post scheduled for 6:45 p.m. EDT.
