A compact field of five faced the gate in Friday’s $6,500 feature pace at Vernon Downs, and Ms Cheesman used a late rally to post the victory for Team Okusko.
Angel Speak (Claude Huckabone III) went to the front and threw down fractions of :26.3 and :56 before being pressed to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1 by a previously pocket-sitting Ms Cheesman and driver Howard Okusko, Jr. Ms Cheesman then used a :27.4 closing quarter to produce the win by 1-1/2 lengths over Love Live Laugh in 1:53. Jaclyn Hanover was third.
Owned by Bay Pond Racing and trained by Jessica Okusko, Ms Cheesman is a three-year-old filly by Betterthancheddar. It was her fifth win this season and the sixth of her career.
In 10 drives this season, Jay Sears has four wins and one second this season. For anyone that is a great record. What is amazing is that Sears is 76 years old. The lovable driver is racing like he is a youngster. He guided Star Flyer ($10.60) to a gate-to-wire victory in a lifetime best of 1:58.1.
Star Flyer is a four-year-old mare by Cantab Hall. She is co-owned by Sears with David Fishman and trained by Ray Van Dreason. It was her fourth win in 11 starts this season. It was career victory number five. How can you not root for Sears? If you love harness racing all you can do is smile!
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday with a 10-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)