A pair of odds-on favourites proved victorious in the $12,100 Anthony Farina Pacing Series and the $12,900 Catherine Burton Trotting Series finals at Vernon Downs on Saturday (May 7) evening, both employing first-over tactics en route to the winner's enclosure.
In the Farina final, Galows Nightmare ($3.00, part of entry) began his first-over ascent with half a mile to go, sustaining pressure on early pacesetter No Shame Blue Chip (Brian Connor) through a three-quarters split of 1:22.2 after the latter vaulted clear to set strong early splits of :26.1 and :54.1. Galows Nightmare--a four-year-old Sportswriter gelding--edged clear off the far turn, ultimately drawing off to a two and a half length win in 1:51.2 under trainer/driver Chris Lems. No Shame Blue Chip held second by five and three-quarter lengths over An Officers Duty (John MacDonald), a distant third off his loose second-over trip.
The Burton final saw Walk The Floor ($3.80) apply heavy pressure to pacesetter Chukkar (Chuck Connor Jr.) on the far turn, working clear in upper stretch before holding off pocket rival Thats A Bad Boy (Tyler Freese) for a 1:55.3 win. Trainer Angus MacDonald drove the five-year-old Crazed gelding to a three-quarter length triumph.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Sunday (May 8), with the 10-race Mother's Day card due to begin at 1:25 p.m. EDT.
(Vernon Downs)