Party Queen and driver Barton Dalious won the $6,500 featured fillies and mares pace at Vernon Downs on Friday, June 30.
Special Olivia (Steeven Genois) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :26.3 then backed down the pace to the half in :56.2 while Party Queen went first-up going down the backstretch. The two mares continued to battle around the final turn, with Special Olivia holding a slight advantage as they passed three-quarters in 1:25.1. As they reached the stretch, Party Queen wore down Special Olivia and took over to win in a lifetime best of 1:53. Unusual Clarity (Ron Harp) closed to finish a length behind, edging out Special Olivia for second.
Party Queen is a five-year-old Roll With Joe mare, owned by The Betcha Win Stables and trained by Jeff Sorenson. The win was her fourth this season from 16 starts and she now has 14 career victories. She paid $5.20 to win.
Dalious drove three winners on the card while Sorenson had a training double. Claude Huckabone III had a driving-training double.
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday as the “Miracle Mile” celebrates its 70th anniversary with giveaways and much more. The nine-race card starts at 6:05 p.m. Fireworks follows live racing.
(With files from Vernon Downs)