Arbeedo found another gear in the final quarter and used it to gain a 1:53.3 victory in Thursday night’s $9,100 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs
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With Josh Marks driving for trainer Tracy Brainard, Arbeedo drafted behind the pacesetter, Pickmeamerigold, to the half in :57 seconds. Shuffled back to third by the onrushing favourite, Bet The Ranch, Arbeedo came alive mid-way down the stretch and rallied to defeat Pickmeamerigold by a head, with Bet The Ranch finishing a half-length back in third.
It was the second score here this season for Arbeedo, who sports a 2-1-1 summary line after four current outings. Brainard, currently the top local conditioner, and Andrew Herzog own the four-year-old daughter of Artsplace-Shoobeedobeedo, who hiked her career winnings to more than $166,500.
The victory was one of two on Thursday’s 10-race card for Marks, the current Downs dash-winning leader with 52 tallies. The 27-year-old reinsman needs just two more first-place finishes to reach the coveted 1,000 career-win plateau.
Drivers Claude Huckabone, Jr., Howard Okusko, Jr., as well as trainers Jessica Okusko and Richard Ruffles were also credited with twin tallies during the track’s 18th program of 2010.
(Vernon Downs)