Even-money favourite Dewey Arnold ($4) and driver Ron Harp won the $11,806 Open Handicap Trot at Vernon Downs on Saturday, May 3.

Harp and Dewey Arnold went straight to the front and led the field of five Open trotters to the quarter in 28 seconds over the sloppy track. They took a :29.4 second quarter to the half, reaching that pole in :57.4, before Woodside Gabe (Leon Bailey) came first-up to challenge heading to the far turn. The top two battled all around the final turn, with Woodside Gabe gaining a short lead as they raced by three-quarters in 1:26.3. As they reached the stretch, Dewey Arnold fought back and went on to win easily in 1:55.1 by 5-1/2 lengths. Topville Swift Dan (Jimmy Whittemore) closed for second over Woodside Gabe.

Dewey Arnold is a seven-year-old gelding by Deweycheatumnhowe out of Livn On A Prayer. He is owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst.  The trotter returned to the Vernon Downs winner's circle after earning a pair of victories through his first seven starts of the season at Saratoga Raceway. A 38-time career winner, Dewey Arnold has now earned $534,348 in purses.

Leon Bailey was the driving star of the night, winning five of the 11 races. He was first with Always A Story ($3.30) in the opener for trainer Gates Brunet and then followed with victories throughout the night in rein to the Dewhurst-trained Isaac ($2.40), Mississippi Rabbit ($3) for conditioner Joseph Sansone, Excursion ($2.60) for the Dale Lawton stable and Two Star Magic ($2.60) for trainer Jesse Mcassey.

Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday, May 9 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)