Employing a tracking trip through much of the mile, Connie Hochstetler's Southern Girl reached late to nose out even-money favourite All Charged Up in Thursday evening's featured $8,000 Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs.

Jimmy Whittemore floated forward with the four-year-old Sportsmaster mare to take third in the initial stages, drafting behind Looney Dune (Ben McNeil) and Super Soph (Chris Lems) through early splits of :26.2 and :55.3. On the far turn, Southern Girl found herself locked in, as All Charged Up (John MacDonald) commenced a first-over rally on approach to the quarter pole. Whittemore worked Southern Girl second-over upon cornering, and the pair ultimately swung three-wide as All Charged Up took command at the eighth pole. Southern Girl dueled strongly off cover to prevail by a hard-fought nose in 1:51. Looney Dune, the early pacesetter, was a worn-down third.

Homer Hochstetler trains Southern Girl, now an 11-time winner. She paid $12.20 to win.

The evening's sub-featured $5,500 Miracle Mile pace for distaffers saw Embassy Seelster ($2.70) control all the terms and edge clear to a two-length victory over Jinxys Delight in 1:51.2. Fern Paquet, Jr. drove the six-year-old Modern Art mare for trainer Allie Berube.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday evening, with post time slated for 6:45 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)