Maryann Plano’s veteran pacer Hay Goodlooking used a bold backstretch speed-brush to become a contender, and then continued on to secure a 1:53 victory in Saturday night’s $10,000 featured Open Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs

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With husband Rick at the controls, Hay Goodlooking ($13.40) got away last in the six-horse Open field, before accelerating from fourth to second around the final turn. After a brief battle with the pacesetting favourite, Diamond Stick Pin, entering the homestretch, the gritty gelding drew off to a half-length triumph over the on-coming Thanks For Stoppin. The second wagering choice, Samandar, finished third.

The energetic effort by Hay Goodlooking gives him seven scores at the 81-program meeting, tying him with fellow pacer Rosa Villa for most equine tallies at the Downs thus far in 2011. It was the eighth season’s score and 24th lifetime win for the bay son of Art Major-Moniques Legacy, who raised his career earnings to more than $400,000.

Hay Goodlooking’s first-place finish gave Rick Plano his seventh three-win outing at the meet. He also won with Maryann’s trotter Damian Carlos N (1:57.2), and Real Sparks (1:54.1), a pacer he conditions for Dan and Jacalyn Boddie.

In a non-betting division of the C.K.G. Billings contest for amateur drivers of trotters prior to Vernon’s 12-race pari-mutuel program, Anthony Verruso closed from fourth in the final quarter behind Sams Honeybee to post a 1:59.2 triumph over the nearest of their nine rivals. Carl Gillespie conditions the five-year-old mare for owner Verruso.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore and driver-trainer Roman Lopez each chalked up twin tallies during the wagering program.

(Vernon Downs)