Thisishowedoit and Bet Big On Blue grabbed the co-features at Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 19).
Thisishowwedoit took the $6,000 featured pace.
Juxlivinmydream took the lead and led to the first quarter in :26.4 and used a :29.2 second quarter to hit the half first in :56.1. Thisishowwedoit took over the lead soon after and battled shoulder to shoulder with Boys Turn all around the final turn. Boys Turn took a short lead and led to three-quarters in 1:24.1.
As they made the turn for home Thisishowwedoit regained the lead. Napper Tandy made a late charge but had to settle for second as Thisishowwedoit held firm and won in a seasonal best of 1:53.1. Boys Turn had to settle for third.
Thisishowwedoit is a five-year-old gelding by Shadow Play. He is owned by Kristen Irvine and Brad is the trainer. It was his third win this season and 13th win of his career. Brad Irvine drove the $3.60 winner.
Bet Big On Blue captures the $6,000 featured trot.
American JJ went straight to the front and led to the first quarter in :27.3. Bet Big On Blue followed in the pocket and watched American JJ use a :30 second quarter to hit the half in :57.3. American JJ led to three-quarters in 1:26.3.
As they made the turn for home Bet Big On Blue popped out of the pocket and challenged American JJ down the stretch. Bet Big On Blue took the lead and had to fight off the late challenge of second-place finisher Haveitalltogether and third-place finisher Oversized. Bet Big On Blue dug in and won it 1:55.4.
Bet Big On Blue is a five-year-old gelding by Muscle Hill. He is owned by Michael Moore and trained by Karin Warner. It was his second win this season. He now owns seven career victories. Leon Bailey drove the $9.40 winner.
Brad Irvine had two more wins on the card. His other wins came with Dojea Gigi ($41.60) and Sportsnest ($3.20). Irvine now has 999 victories.
Congratulations to Joshua Miller, who drove his first pari-mutuel winner ever on Saturday night. The 22-year-old guided the Christina Miller-trained KS Dream ($3.60) to a victory in Race 5. KS Dream is a four-year-old horse by Conway Hall. He is one for one in 2021.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (June 25). Post time is 6:10 p.m. (EDT).
(Vernon Downs)