Bille Bella Chick became the first four-time winner after 17 programs of Vernon Downs’ 56th season following a 1:54.1 mile pacing performance in Friday night’s $5,000 10th race
.
Chris Lems drove for trainer Lonny Hale as Bille Bella Chick ($14.60) went to the front early, held off a strong challenge from On That Note at the three-quarter mark, but remained stouthearted to the finish, recording a one-length triumph over the on-rushing Determined Lady. On That Note finished third.
Shared in ownership by Dr. Michael Kessler and the Speed To Burn Racing stable, the five-year-old mare sports a 4-2-1 summary line after 10 season’s starts. The time becomes a new mark for the career winner of $46,837.
The pacer Six Of Hearts equaled Friday’s fastest clocking with a career-best 1:54.1 showing in the $3,000 fourth event. It was the first win in three current outings for the three-year-old filly, who is owned by Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stable and Conrad Zurich. Leon Bailey, the meet’s leading provisional pilot, drove for trainer Jessica Okusko.
Defending driving champion Josh Marks earned a triple while participating in his first program of the meet, while the 2008 training champ Tracy Brainard recorded a pair of first-place finishes during Friday’s 12-race card.
Fern Paquet, Jr. also chalked up three tallies during the program, while Bailey brought home a pair of winners.
(Vernon Downs)