Leon Bailey and trainer Andy Gardner stole the show on a special Mother's Day matinee Sunday, May 13 at Vernon Downs as the pair combined to collect four wins together, while Bailey added one more win to his total.
Big Cal, with Bailey in the bike, crushed the field to win the $5,100 featured pace.
Big Cal fired out of the gate and never looked back, going gate-to-wire posting splits of :26.3, :56.0 and 1:24.0 before hitting the line in 1:51.4. Owned by Robert Pelc Jr. and trained by Andy Gardner, the mile was a lifetime best for Big Cal. The fight for second went to Danza with Shell I Be Bad finishing third.
Big Cal is a five-year-old horse by Big Jim. It was the first win of the season and his fifth career victory. He paid $4.80 to win.
Bailey and Gardner also had wins with Majestos ($7.40), Fuzzylegsnall ($4.70), and Steuben Magic Ride ($5.50). Bailey got his fifth win with Williams Wish ($6.30), trained by Doug Miller.
Vernon Downs returns to live action on Friday, May 18 starting at 6:10 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)