Tomas and driver Artie Dick captured the $9,000 Open Pace on Saturday (Sept. 30) at Vernon Downs.
Tomas ($3.30), who usually lays back and charges late, changed things up and fired out of the gate to lead to the quarter in :27. Syracuse Express (Leon Bailey) went first-over going down the backstretch. Tomas was first to the half in :56.4 as he slowed things down with a :29.4 second quarter. Syracuse Express continued to put on some pressure as Tomas got to three-quarters first in 1:24. As they reached the stretch, Tomas had plenty in the tank and made it a race for second as he won in 1:52. The race for second ended in a dead-heat between Syracuse Express and Bluesville (Frank Affrunti).
Tomas is a six-year-old gelding by Art Major owned by White Yeti Racing and trained by Dick. The win was his sixth this season and his 11th career victory.
Frank Affrunti and Leon Bailey each had driving doubles. David Dewhurst had a training double.
Live harness racing returns on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)