Commencing a rally out of last with five-sixteenths of the mile to go, Ontario-owned Damon Blue Chip ($44.00) stunned in Saturday (April 25) evening's $10,000 Open Pace at Vernon Downs, passing every other horse in the race to just prevail.
The six-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding came away last of the field of five, allowing odds-on favourite Ashleys Husband (Fern Paquet Jr.) to establish solid early sectional times of :26.2 and :55. Before entering the far turn, Ashleys Husband felt strong pressure from the first over JK Panache (Chris Lems), and John MacDonald moved Damon Blue Chip off the pegs from last as the top pair duelled through a :27.3 third quarter. Ultimately carried four-wide at the top of the stretch, Damon Blue Chip was urged to gobble up ground through the stretch, prevailing in the final yards over a game Ashleys Husband in 1:51.2. JK Panache flattened at the top of the stretch, narrowly holding third.
MacDonald, also the winning trainer, co-owns Damon Blue Chip with the J P Stables of Winchester, Ont.
The featured event was the cornerstone of a driving grand slam for MacDonald, who also prevailed with another trainee of his, Dragon Fever ($6.40, 1:52). The Green Knight ($6.90, 1:53.2) and Hot Lemonade ($4.70, 1:54.2) rounded out MacDonald's quartet of driving wins on the evening's 13-race card.
The aforementioned Hot Lemonade was one of two winners in the first round of the Anthony Farina Pacing Series, pouncing from the pocket to defeat Sweet Bobbie (Chris Lems) in their division. Lilys Real Boy ($7.10) took the other $4,000 split, carried wide when circling to the fore early before kicking clear to a six and a quarter length 1:53.2 victory with Fern Paquet Jr. in the bike.
(With files from Vernon Downs)