The veteran pacing mare Windows Online played follow-the-leader in the featured $8,000 seventh session at Vernon Downs on Friday night and the strategy paid off with a speedy 1:53.1 score.

Leading driver/trainer Rick Plano was in the sulky as Windows Online drafted along in the cat bird’s spot behind the favourite High Speed Life until the stretch drive, then flashed to the front just before the finish to gain a neck triumph in the $8,000 Open-2 contest for female representatives of the lateral gait.

The slim score was the third locally, the sixth this season and the 21st all-time for the six-year-old Ontario-sired daughter of Royal Mattjesty. The career-earner of more than $177,000 is owned by John J. Darrah.

That first-place finish gave defending driving and training champ Plano his 32nd piloting win and 16th training tally of Vernon’s 60th season.

Doubles were also recorded during Friday’s 11-race card by driver John MacDonald, as well as trainers Scott West and Leopold Sawyers.

Saturday’s 13-race card will begin at 6:45 p.m. The Downs will also offer live racing at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, with the 13-race program featuring elimination races for the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old trotters.

(Vernon Downs)