Taking full advantage of a soft second quarter, The Triple C Stables LLC's Sweet Bettor ($6.80) blitzed to the fore, passing all five of her rivals before reaching the far turn and subsequently winning Friday (November 20) evening's featured $6,600 distaff pace at Vernon Downs.
Trainer/driver Chris Lems settled at the back of the pack with the six-year-old Bettors Delight mare, not involved at all with the early pace. After Table Games (John MacDonald) and Crucial Moment (Jimmy Whittemore) duelled through a :27.2 initial quarter, MacDonald tried to pull the pace back with 2-1 favourite Table Games -- but to no avail. After Table Games rated a :57.2 half, she was overpowered by Sweet Bettor, who seized command just upon reaching the far turn. Not only would the 13-time winner ultimately stave off Table Games, but also a late bid up the pegs from Aritzia Hanover (Claude Huckabone III), who narrowly captured second. Sweet Bettor ultimately prevailed by one and a quarter lengths in 1:53.4.
The win was the third for Lems on the card; he swept the early Daily Double aboard Muscles N Luck ($10.40, 1:58.4) and My Lucky Word ($6.00, 1:55.4). MacDonald and Truman Gale each notched two driving wins on the nine-race card
The 2015 meet at Vernon Downs comes to a close Saturday (November 21) evening, with a long-sleeve shirt giveaway (while supplies last), a $350 handicapping contest, and a fireworks spectacular on tap in addition to a nine-race program. Post time is 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
(Vernon Downs)