Golden Gun took the $6,500 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Western Toro forged to the front and led the field to a first quarter of :26.2 and the half in :55.1.
Golden Gun ($10.00) settled into fourth as they hit the first quarter. Owned by The Wiz Kids Stable LLC. and trained by Jeff Sorenson, he went first over on the backstretch and joined Western Toro as they went side by side all around the final turn. Western Toro held a narrow lead as they hit three-quarters in 1:23.0. The two continued to trade blows all the way downs stretch. Golden Gun surged ahead in deep stretch and held off the late charge of second place finisher I Am Golden to win in 1:51.4. Western Toro held on for third.
Golden Gun is a six-year-old gelding by Headmaster. It was his fourth win in 2018. He now has 28 career victories. Driven by Josh Kinney, he paid $10.00 to win.
Round The Beach cruises to easy win in the $6,000 other feature pace.
Round The Beach fought for and took the lead, never looking back getting an easy gate-to-wire victory. Owned and trained by driver John MacDonald, she laid fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26.1 before hitting the wire in 1:53.3. Brimfield fired late to finish second. Banacek got third.
Round The Beach is a three-year-old filly by Somebeachsomewhere. It was her fourth with this season and her fifth victory career. She paid $3.00 to win.
John MacDonald, Claude Huckabone III, and Josh Kinney all had driving doubles on the night.
"J Mac" got his wins with Dry Creek Gin ($7.30) and Round The Beach ($3.00). Huckabone III went to the winner's circle with Sea Harrier ($6.30) and Awesum Ace ($8.20). Besides Golden Gun, Kinney won with Cujo McBain ($39.60).
Fox Valley Photog and Michelle Miller went gate-to-wire to win the non-betting Racing Under Saddle race. Owned by Joe D’agostino with Phil Kadushin and trained by David Dewhurst, the 12-year-old gelding by Vaporize put up fractions of :30.4, 1:02.2 and 1:33.2 before winning in 2:04.4. Iron Will finished second. Better To Be Lucky was third.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday, Oct. 19 starting at 6:10 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)