Oceans Motion nabbed her first win of the season with an impressive 1:55.1 performance in Thursday night’s $12,000 Open feature for female pacers at Vernon Downs.
Competing for only the 12th time this season, Oceans Motion had veteran Chuck Connor, Jr. at the controls as she left from the outside five post position in Thursday’s 11th event. Racing over a rain-soaked, sloppy track, the six-year-old mare took her time building up speed. She rallied from fifth at the quarter to fourth at the half, shot to the front around the final bend and then showed her heels to the small but select field in the stretch, winning by an eased up 4-1/4 lengths.
The stout effort resulted in the 22nd lifetime victory for the daughter of Camotion-CR Charisma, who raised her career bankroll to more than $335,700. Janice Connor (Chuck’s wife) conditions the bay battler for owner Robert J. Lovett.
Fans witnessed the second dead-heat for win at Vernon’s 81-program meeting after the pacers Rochas Hanover and Sunshine Patriot tied at the top following a 1:54.2 mile in Thursday’s seventh session.
The win by Rochas Hanover was her second at the meet for trainer Robert C. Gale and owners Scott Hay and Scott Miller. Driver Truman Gale earned three wins during Thursday’s 12-race card.
Sunshine Patriot’s score was also her second of the season at the Downs. Joe Bongiorno did the teaming for trainer Brad Irvine and owners Kim and Jordan Myers.
(Vernon Downs)