Pacer Jericho Willie (Frank Affrunti) and trotting mare Workout Girl (Dylan Huckabone Miller) won the $6,500 co-features on Friday, June 2 at Vernon Downs.
Jericho Willie (pictured above) went to the front in the featured pace but Treacherous Tom (Chris Long) took the lead just before hitting the quarter in :27. He continued to show the way to the half in :55.4 and led to three-quarters in 1:24.3. As they made the turn for home, Jericho Willie popped the pocket and charged for the lead. Maximum Ideal (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) and Le Massif (Steeven Genois) came flying late, but Jericho Willie was too tough and won in 1:52.3 by 1-1/2 lengths. Maximum Ideal was second with Le Massif collecting third money.
Jericho Willie is a seven-year-old gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven. He is trained by Misty Carey for owners Michael Kessler and Speed To Burn Racing. The win was his second in 11 starts this season and marked his 26th career victory. He paid $7.90 to win.
In the featured trot, Valottalove (John MacDonald) and Workout Girl battled for the lead early with Workout Girl clearing just before the hitting quarter pole in :27.3. She slowed things down with a :30 second quarter to reach the half in :57.3 then cruised to three-quarters in 1:27.1. As the field reached the stretch, Workout Girl was still firmly in the lead. Valottalove was all out late but had to settle for second, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Workout Girl, who equalled her lifetime best of 1:55.3. Bet Big On Blue (Steeven Genois) was third.
Workout Girl is a four-year-old mare by Donato Hanover. She is owned by James Crawford IV and trained by Claude Huckabone III. The win was her fourth this season from 16 starts and she now has eight career victories. Workout Girl paid $2.80 to win.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday with a 10-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)