It was a wild finish in Sunday’s $350,000 final of the Progress Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings at Dover Downs, with Vertical Horizon using last second heroics
to post a pylon-skimming score for the potent pairing of driver Jim Morrill, Jr. and trainer Tracy Brainard.
The Bulletproof Enterprises-owned colt powered up the rail to post the win in 1:50.4 – the fastest effort to date for the son of Western Ideal-Summer Mystery.
Vertical Horizon was pari-mutuelly paired with Schoolkids, who drummed up most of the 6-5 support from the wagering public. That speedy stablemate was parked to the quarter pole in :26.3 by Go Go Solano before muscling to the top. Once on the lead Schoolkids threw down fractions of :53.2 and 1:21.4 before fatigue started to set in.
The rail opened up in the stretch and Morrill wasted no time in shooting up the prime piece of real estate with Vertical Horizon. The pacer powered home in :28.3 to post the half-length victory over Go Go Solano and Vintage Master.
After going 0-for-5 as a rookie and banking just over $2,600, Vertical Horizon has followed up with a 5-3-4 record in 23 assignments this year. His sophomore success has helped his overall bankroll soar to $557,347.