Benefitting from wicked early fractions and a cozy second-over trip, Southwind Trini ($6.00) made good as the slim 2-1 favourite in Friday (July 10) evening's $10,000 Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs.
Away fourth in the field of five, the seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare was in no hurry to press Southwind Serenity (Truman Gale) through a torrid :53.3 initial half-mile. On the far turn, Greg Merton angled Southwind Trini to follow cover provided by The Filly Princess (Frank Davis), towed right up into second as Southwind Serenity was gathered in by the steadily-advancing The Filly Princess well past a 1:21.3 three-quarter sectional. Southwind Trini sustained her bid off cover, putting one and a quater lengths on The Filly Princess in the end for a 1:50.2 triumph. Love You Bye (Jimmy Whittemore) recovered well to take third after she was shuffled to last on the far turn.
Rob Harmon trains Southwind Trini for Karma Racing Inc.
Claude Huckabone III led all drivers with three wins on the evening.
Live racing returns at Vernon on Saturday (July 11) evening, with first post at 6:45 p.m. Eastern time. Fans are invited to arrive early to receive their replica Chris Lems driving colours shirts (while supplies last), and to meet the defending Miracle Mile driving champion.
K Js Caroline Wins Tioga Feature
Taking advantage of a pocket trip and a blistering pace, K Js Caroline ($5.40) took charge late, holding off a bevy of closers in Friday (July 10) evening's $10,000 top-level pace for fillies and mares at Tioga Downs.
The five-year-old Roddys Bags Again mare dueled early with Stormunn (Aaron Byron), ceding the lead on the first turn but not without having a hand in forcing a taxing early pace. Stormunn worked clear through a :25.4 opening quarter over fast going, tracked intently by K Js Caroline through a :56.4 middle half. On the far turn, Jim Taggart Jr. edged K Js Caroline out of the pocket, collaring the pacesetter in mid-stretch before edging clear. While Smokin N Grinin (Tyler Freese), Maejusmac (Dan Clements), and Forty Three (Jim Meittinis) all showed late pace from midfield or farther back, K Js Caroline held them all at bay, prevailing by a length in 1:52.
Gary Messenger trains K Js Caroline for owner/breeder Scott Woogen.
Taggart would go on to sweep the first four races of the evening's eight-race program, teaming up as well with Twin B Flirt ($3.00, 1:53.2), Purple N Gold ($4.00, 1:53.2), and Bullville Bren ($4.00, 1:57.3).
Live racing returns to Tioga on Saturday (July 11) evening, with a nine-race card due to begin at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time.
(Vernon Downs/Tioga Downs)