The capable colt Helios remained undefeated in his young career following Friday night’s 1:57.2 triumph in the $24,200 Late Bloomer Series final for three and four-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.
Making just his fourth career start, Helios ($4.40) followed Celebrity Obsesion and Zanna Royal off the starting gate and remained in third to the half in :57.2. The sophomore son of Muscles Yankee-Enjoy The Sun advanced to second in the far turn and then turned it on in the stretch, drawing away to win by two lengths.
Following preliminary series scores at Vernon in 2:00.1 and 1:56.1, respectively, Friday’s title tally was the fourth overall for the career-winner of $20,400, who is owned by the Little E LLC contingent.
Driver Chris Lems went on to complete Friday’s 12-race card with four first-place finishes, while trainer Jessica Okusko was recording her third tally of the evening. Leading Downs driver Rick Plano picked up two victories and a training credit during the program, while Jonathan Roberts recorded his second driving double of Vernon’s 81-program meeting.
Roberts was at the controls in Friday’s first race, the week’s $11,000 Open Trot, and steered the favourite Scorpion Moon ($2.70) to a front-striding 1:56.1 triumph for co-owner/trainer Tracy Brainard and her partner, Andrew Herzog. It marked the sixth local score, 11th season’s win and 90th all-time victory for the gritty 11-year-old gelding, who has banked nearly $975,000 during his industrious career.
(With files from Vernon Downs)