Drivers John MacDonald and Fern Paquet, Jr. each captured four of Saturday evening’s ten races at Vernon Downs, with MacDonald also copping top honours in the featured $7,900 upper level pacing event with odds-on favourite Flying Cowboy.
Despite chilly and rainy conditions, Flying Cowboy ($3.50) wasted no time securing the early lead, clearing from his assigned outside post to control early sectionals of :28.1 and :57.2. The six-year-old Brandons Cowboy gelding faced his stiffest challenge on the far turn—when Cheyenne Reider (Truman Gale) briefly headed him during a :27.1 third quarter—but he responded beautifully under pressure. Flying Cowboy kicked away to defeat Cheyenne Reider by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:53.1, while Bondi Hanover (Chris Lems) rallied mildly to take third.
Joe Skowyra trains Flying Cowboy for owner Wade Wyatt.
While “The Prime Minister” took top honours in the night’s feature, Paquet would help give trainer Jordan Hope a double on the night, partnering with Hurrikane Bud K ($6.30, 1:54.1) and Flashy Trick ($5.70, 1:53.3).
The penultimate week of racing at Vernon Downs offers Friday (October 28) and Saturday (October 29) programs, with post time each evening scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)