Poisonous and Western Toro each scored victories in the $5,000 pacing co-features at Vernon Downs on Saturday, May 25.
In the first feature Golden Brit controlled the early fractions of :28.1, :58.0 and 1:26.1. Poisonous, who is owned by driver Jimmy Whittemore and trained by Marissa Chadborne, sat third after three-quarters. He came charging down the stretch to blow by and win in a seasonal-best 1:53.2. E Z Noah came up to finish second while Golden Brit held on for third.
Poisonous is a seven-year-old horse by Art Major. It was his second win this season and his 18th victory overall. He paid $5.70 to win.
In the second feature Winds Of Change led to a first quarter of :26.3 and to the half in :55.4. Western Toro, who is owned and trained by driver John MacDonald, popped out of the pocket just after the halfway mark. He cruised to three-quarters in 1:24.2 and won easily in 1:52.2. Banacek was second best with Winds Of Change holding on for third money.
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Western Toro is a 10-year-old gelding by Western Ideal. He won for the second time this season and the 25th time in his career. He paid $4.20 to win.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs with a special 14-race Memorial Day matinee Monday, May 27 starting a 1:05 p.m. The feature races will be the Empire Breeders Classic finals for sophomore trotting fillies ($209,500) and three-year-old trotting colts and geldings ($215,200). There will be an umbrella giveaway while supplies last as well as a live bugler.
(with files from Vernon Downs)