Vernon Downs' leading driver Leon Bailey drove six winners on Friday's 12-race card, including a win in the $11,806 Open Trot with Woodside Gabe.
In the Open, favourite Discus Hanover (Ron Harp) sprinted the opening quarter in :26.4 to lead the field of five trotters early on before Woodside Gabe swept first-up from fourth for Bailey as the pace slowed during the second panel. Woodside Gabe had a three-quarter-length lead at the half in :56.4 and was in full control to three-quarters in 1:24.3. As the trotters reached the stretch, Discus Hanover popped the pocket and went all out after the leader, but Woodside Gabe found another gear and won easily by 2-1/2 lengths, equalling his lifetime best of 1:53.4. Free Willy Hanover (Chris Long) closed from the back of the pack to finish second while Sevenshotsobourbon (Tom Merton) was third.
A back-to-back Open winner at Vernon late summer, Woodside Gabe rebounded from subsequent breaking issues and returned to action off a pair of qualifiers at Saratoga Raceway this month. He was sent postward at odds of 6-1 here and returned $15 for the mild upset.
The four-year-old gelding by Dover Dan out of Ellette Hanover is trained by Amanda Bailey for owners Joe Facin Jr. and David Faile. The win was his fifth of the season from 25 starts and his 11th career victory.
Bailey earned his other wins in rein to Sunni Red ($2.10) and Imgoingtojackson ($2.10) for trainer Markavius Cavett, the Dale Lawton-trained Dreamscape Afs ($2.90), Lepanto ($13.40) for the Jeff Sorenson stable and Boston Jive ($9.40) for conditioner Joseph Sansone.
Live harness racing resumes at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Oct. 26 with post time at 3:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)