Upfront Secret rallied in the stretch to get the victory in the $6,500 feature race at Vernon Downs on Friday night.
Upfront Secret (Truman Gale) was apparently in a tough game of catch-up as Kylers Valentine (Rick Plano) rallied to a four-length lead at the top of the stretch, but as the race continued Kylers Valentine appeared to tire slightly through the lane. This gave Upfront Secret the opportunity to storm to victory on the outside in a final time of 1:53.3. The favourite, Bad Girl Vegas (Fern Paquet Jr.), finished third after her attempt to catch the leader fell a bit short.
Upfront Secret (The Panderosa-Sweet Reflection) is owned by Ross Bonafield of West Edmeston, New York and trained by Robert Gale.
The complete order of finish was: Upfront Secret, Kylers Valentine, Bad Girl Vegas, Got The Munchies, Table Games, Sweet Bettor, Mighty Nice, and Thats My Dream.
The first leg of the Racing Under Saddle Series also took place on Friday night at Vernon Downs. The five-horse field competed in a $2,500 non-wagering exhibition race and the easy winner was Tymal Oh So Nice (Striking Sahbra-Tymal Abracadabra) for Russell, Ont. trainer Ron MacDonald, who shares ownership with Valerie Blackmore of Barrie, Ont.
Tymal Oh So Nice (Heather Reese) took the lead immediately after the starting gate opened and was never really challenged throughout the remainder of the race, winning handily in 2:02.4.
It certainly appears that Tymal Oh So Nice is comfortable under saddle. He had also shown good form in a Racing Under Saddle qualifier on July 1, winning by seven lengths and covering the distance that day in 2:00.3.
Sundowner Bob broke stride at the start and never got back trotting, so while he finished second, he ended being placed fifth for being off-stride throughout the event.
The complete order of finish for the first leg of the Racing Under Saddle Series was: Tymal Oh So Nice, Vassar Hall, Armbro Doyle, My Irish Molly, and Sundowner Bob.
The second leg of the Racing Under Saddle Series at Vernon Downs will take place on August 16, with the final coming on August 29.
Live racing at Vernon Downs will resume on Saturday night with a first post time of 6:45 p.m. The featured event on the nine-race program is the eighth race, a $10,000 Open I Trot, with My Revenuer set as the 2-1 morning line favourite.
(With files from Vernon Downs)