Track record-holder Hes Gorgeous performed with speed and determination while winning Saturday night’s $10,000 featured Open-1 Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs
in 1:50.3.
Making his second local start since setting a 1:50 Vernon standard for four-year-old pacing horses on May 7, Hes Gorgeous ($3.80) followed Mystical Valentine and Daley Deposit Only to the quarter (paced in :26.1), took the lead after the half (reached in :54.3), led by more than a length entering the stretch (three-quarter time was 1:22.3), and then out-battled Mystical Valentine to the finish of the week’s top contest.
The head triumph was the second at the Downs in 2011, fourth this season and 21st overall for the speedy bay son of Art Major-So Ravishing, who has returned more than $714,000 to his owner Ken Jacobs. Jack Rice did the teaming for the track’s top trainer Tracy Brainard, who posted her 39th win credit at the 27-card meeting.
The Howard Okusko, Sr.-conditioned pacer Touch Of The Past prevailed in the week’s $8,000 Open-2 test, scoring in 1:52.3 for driver Joe Nassimos, and owners Linda Manzi and Paul Tandlmayer.
Frank Milby, who ended the week trailing only two-time defending champion Jimmy Whittemore, 46-34, atop Vernon’s driver standings, earned his second triple of the meet after scores behind J T Arturo (1:55.3) and Pro Bono Frank (1:53.4) in the Early Double, and then Dragon My Wagon (1:52.3) in the fourth event.
The 12-year-old battler J T Arturo, owned by trainer Dave Dewhurst and Anthony R. Farina, recorded his 68th career victory in Saturday’s opener.
(Vernon Downs)