First-over was the place to be in a pair of late closer finals at Vernon Downs on Sunday (May 10) afternoon, as Hollywood Jess ($2.90) and Lilys Real Boy ($8.70) employed identical tactics in their respective victories.
In the $15,400 Catherine Burton final for trotters, Chris Lems settled fourth with Hollywood Jess, stalking duelling leaders P L Humanity (Jimmy Whittemore) and Blue Skies Craze (Truman Gale) before commencing a first-over bid at the race's midpoint. With P L Humanity rating a :56.3 half-mile, Hollywood Jess advanced on the far turn, working her way to the lead just before reaching three-quarters in 1:25.3. As the three-year-old Conway Hall filly began to edge clear of a tiring P L Humanity, Blue Skies Craze angled wide from the pocket to give late chase. Hollywood Jess held sway by two lengths for a 1:55.2 score over Blue Skies Craze. Suzy Smart (Homer Hochstetler) made a late push to take third off a ground-saving trip.
Trainer David Dewhurst co-owns Hollywood Jess with Philip Hale.
Likewise in the $11,900 Anthony Farina final for pacers, eventual winner Lilys Real Boy drafted from fourth early on, commencing his move on the backstretch well after Hot Lemonade (half of the odds-on entry, John MacDonald up) pushed clear following a :26.3 initial quarter. With the pace still sizzling through a :54.3 half-mile, Fern Paquet Jr. steadily advanced on the far turn with Lilys Real Boy, nearing level terms with Hot Lemonade a quarter from home and subsequently kicking clear. The four-year-old Real Artist gelding drew off by three and a quarter lengths, holding clear of a late-rallying Speaking Out (Chris Lems) for a 1:51.2 victory. I Wont Give Up (Claude Huckabone III) was elevated to fourth after third-place finisher Fashion Maven was disqualified for causing interference to the second-over Tarport Andy in the stretch.
Allie Berube trains Lilys Real Boy for owner/breeder Michael Biel.
On the Mother's Day undercard, JK Panache ($3.10, Chris Lems) withstood constant pressure for a 1:48.4 win in an $8,000 upper-level conditioned pace, holding off a late charge from pocket rival Dragon Fever (John MacDonald).
Lems led all drivers with four wins on the ten-race card.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (May 15) evening, with first post at 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)