Spring Goal not only upset the strong favourite Coraggioso, but he also secured a fresh 1:53.1 track record for aged trotting horses while winning Friday night’s $10,000 Open Trot at Vernon Downs.
Taking over the top spot from Spring Goal following a :26.4 opening quarter, Coraggioso, who established a Vernon record for four-year-old trotting horses after a 1:53.4 triumph in last week’s Open test, controlled the eighth race until the final furlong. Spring Goal, who then drafted in the cat-bird’s spot behind the leader until the stretch showdown, out maneuvered Coraggioso through a :28.3 final quarter to gain the win by one length.
Spring Goal’s strong showing with trainer Rick Plano at the controls resulted in the fastest mile by a member of the diagonal gait at the eight-night meeting, and it earned the five-year-old bay battler a new win mark by one full second. It was the second local score, third in 13 season’s starts and 12th overall for the speedy son of Yankee Glide-Maragoal Miss, who is owned by Maryann Plano (Rick’s wife). He’s now accounted for more than $171,500 in Standardbred prize money.
Friday’s swift score was one of three tallies during an 11-race program for trainer/driver Rick Plano, who secured his second triple of the local campaign. The defending driving and training champ is currently tops in both categories again this season at the Downs with 20 and 10 credits, respectively.
Three-win performances during the evening were also posted by drivers Roman Lopez, Truman Gale and trainer Jocelyn Lavigne.
(Vernon Downs)