Bet The Ranch became the second four-time winning equine of the season at Vernon Downs after a 1:53.3 effort in Friday’s $9,100 featured sixth race
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Competing as the favourite from the outside six post, Bet The Ranch followed closely behind second-choice Arbeedo for most of the mile, and then took charge in the final furlong to record a one length triumph in the weekend’s top test for female pacers.
Howard Okusko, Jr. drove for his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, as the five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Silksandiamonds joined fellow pacer Pickmeamerigold as the only standardbred to score four times at the 15-night meet. Edwin Gold and Conrad Zurich own the career winner of $199,527.
Driver Josh Marks won four of Friday’s 10 races to hike his meeting-leading total of first-place finishes to 44.
Top trainer Tracy Brainard was credited with three tallies to increase her current victory total 21.
The Downs will present an 11-race Memorial Day matinee card at 1:15 p.m. on Monday that features Empire Breeders Classic champion races for three-year-old male and female trotters.
(Vernon Downs)