P L Princess C and driver Aaron Byron made a late move to win the $11,487 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs on Friday, Oct. 4.
The Hunt Is On (Leon Bailey) led the field through fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:26.2 while Alta Madeira N (Chris Long) went first-up to challenge heading around the final turn. As they reached the stretch, Alta Madeira N took a short lead but P L Princess C came flying off her cover down the lane to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54 flat. Early trailer Unusual Clarity (Ron Harp) closed for third over The Hunt Is On.
Coming off back-to-back wins a Tioga Downs, P L Princess was the bettors' choice and paid $3.90 to win.
P L Princess C, a five-year-old mare by Thinking Out Loud, is trained by Paul Long for owners Charlene and Jeff Long. A career winner of 18 races, she has earned eight of those victories this year following a 10-win campaign last season.
Vernon's leading driver Leon Bailey had a hat trick on Friday, giving him 124 wins so far this season.
Live harness racing returns on on Saturday starting at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)