Keep It Fair displayed speed and stamina while winning Friday night’s $13,200 featured pacing contest in 1:52.4 at Vernon Downs
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With Jack Rice at the controls for trainer Tracy Brainard, Keep It Fair ($2.80) advanced from fourth at the quarter to first before the half, and then keep on digging until she had defeated newcomer Snapper in Friday’s seventh race, the week’s top Miracle Mile contest for female representatives of the lateral gait.
The half-length tally was the third in succession, sixth at the meeting, eighth in 2010 and 10th all-time for the four-year-old daughter of Art Major-Direct Service, who is shared in ownership by Brainard and Andrew Herzog.
Brainard, this year’s leading trainer after 87 local programs with 67 first-place finishes, also owns and conditions Brick ($18.00), who turned a pocket trip into a 1:56.2 victory in Friday’s $10,800 ninth race, the weekend’s top Miracle Mile trot.
Claude Huckabone, Jr. did the teaming as Brick idled behind the pacesetting Queen Creek until the final furlong, and then rallied to earn a half-length decision over the mile cutter. It was the fourth season’s score (all at the Downs) and 30th lifetime win for the eight-year-old son of Conway Hall-Tees.
Brainard, who won Vernon’s 2008 training title with a single-season record 101 triumphs, currently leads defending champ Jessica Okusko by 11 wins in this year’s conditioning contest.
(Vernon Downs)