Maryann Plano’s Hay Goodlooking became the winningest equine performer after 84 season’s offerings at Vernon Downs following his 1:53.1 score in Saturday night’s $10,000 featured Open Pace
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Facing six select rivals in race nine, the favoured Hay Goodlooking ($4.60) went right to the front for driver-trainer Rick Plano and cut fractions of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:24.3 before earning a neck triumph over the fast-closing newcomer El Ringer.
While turning in the fastest mile during Saturday’s chilly 10-race card, Hay Goodlooking secured his second win in a row and eighth at the meeting, giving him a one-win edge over fellow side-wheeler Rosa Villa. It marked the ninth win in 2011 and the 25th all-time for the five-year-old son of Art Major-Moniques Legacy, who bumped his career bankroll to more than $405,300.
The win was one of three during the evening for Plano, who finished his Vernon stay with 81 first-place driving wins and 49th training tallies, both figures good enough for second place on the meet’s driving and conditioning charts, respectively. He will be shipping his superb stable to Florida’s Pompano Park early next week.
Maryann Plano’s pacer Dots Bigboy also finished first during the program, giving her an owner double, while leading driver Jimmy Whittemore and trainer-driver Roman Lopez also delivered a pair of victories.
(Vernon Downs)