Sustaining a first-over bid through the far turn, Wings Of Royalty ($2.40) wore down the pacesetting Count Speed for a 1:54.3 triumph in the $8,000 Open II Trot at Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 1) evening.
Count Speed (John MacDonald) crossed and cleared from the extreme outside to dictate the terms, rating a :56.4 half-mile before facing the first-over Wings Of Royalty on the far turn. The two duelled through a :28.1 third quarter, continuing their battle off the corner while leaving the pocket-sitting A Lister (Fern Paquet Jr.) five lengths in arrears. Wings Of Royalty ultimately prevailed by three-quarters of a length, wearing down Count Speed in the final yards. Fleetwood Hall (Roman Lopez) charged off cover to take third, just missing by a length.
George Ducharme trains Wings Of Royalty for owner-breeder Raymond Campbell Jr.
Truman Gale led all drivers with four wins on the 11-race program.
(Vernon Downs)