Digging For Gold chipped away with a first-over grind through the back half to win the featured $11,972 Open Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Ron Harp settled Digging For Gold away fifth while War Of Will (John MacDonald) pushed to the front at the opening quarter in :26.1. Mullinax (Aaron Byron) then circled back to command heading to the backstretch and was first to the half in :54.2 with Digging For Gold revving up at that point. Digging For Gold moved into second at three-quarters in 1:22.3 and dispatched Mullinax in the stretch. Natameri (Jacquavyian Carter) came charging but was too late as Digging For Gold won by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:50.3. Mullinax finished third.

Digging For Gold, a four-year-old gelding by Huntsville-Gold Orchid N, took his third Open win in four starts since moving to Vernon and is now four-for-13 this year. Harp trains the gelding, now 16-for-41 lifetime, for Big Sky Ranch. The win price was $10.22.

Leon Bailey had a driving hat trick on the 13-race program. Chris Long, Dylan Huckabone-Miller and Aaron Byron each drove two winners. Trainer David Dewhurst scored twice.

Vernon Downs will host its next card on Friday, Oct. 2 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)