Vernon Downs played host to eight $50,000 Excelsior “A” finals on Saturday (Sept. 11).
Debs Prince Hall came back late to win the freshmen trotting colts & geldings final.
Southwind Rifle took the early lead but Debs Prince Hall ($7.40) took over before hitting the first quarter in :28.1. Debs Prince Hall was first to the half in 1:00.2 and to three-quarters in 1:29.3.
As they reached the stretch Southwind Rifle popped the pocket and the fight was on. Southwind Rifle took a short lead in deep stretch but Debs Prince Hall used a late surge in the final yards and won in 1:59.2. Southwind Rifle had to settle for second with Barn Bully getting third.
Debs Prince Hall is a colt by Conway Hall-Debs Princess. He is owned by Richard Vale and trained by driver Alek Chartrand. He steered his colt to the third victory of his career.
Nadina Hanover held on to win the final for two-year-old pacing fillies.
Flip The Script was first to the quarter in :27.2. Nadina Hanover came first-up from fourth to take over and lead to the half. American Jazz made her move and battled Nadina Hanover around the final turn. American Jazz took a short lead to three-quarters in 1:26.4.
As they made the turn for home, Nadina Hanover battled back and reclaimed the lead in the stretch. Flip The Script came flying late but had to settle for second as Nadina Hanover hung on to win in 1:54.1. American Jazz finished third.
Nadina Hanover is a filly by American Ideal-New Album. She is owned by the Dune Road Stables and trained by Richard "Nifty" Norman. Wally Hennessey drove the $12.60 winner to the third victory of her career.
Impact Jane was upset winner in the final for two-year-old trotting fillies.
Impact Jane led to the quarter in :28.1 and to the half in :59.1. Angels Trolly came first-over and took the lead at three-quarters in 1:28.2.
Impact Jane reclaimed the lead in the stretch. She held off a late charge from second-place finisher Adjure Hanover to break her maiden in 1:56.2. Je Suis Si Belle was third best.
Impact Jane is a filly by E L Titan-Miss Gibbons. She is owned by Howard Gill and trained by George Ducharme. Wally Hennessey drove the $19.60 winner.
Jovian charged late to win the final for freshmen pacing colts & geldings.
Power Blu led to the first quarter in :26.4 and to the half in :57.3. Handsoffmytitos came flying first-over and led to three-quarters in 1:25.2.
Power Blu moved back in front when they entered the stretch. Jovian forged his way to the front and to score his maiden win in 1:53.4. Shakertown came up to finish second. Power Blu had to settle for third.
Jovian is a gelding by Roll With Joe-Kings Ideal. He is owned by Curran Racing LLC., Adam Friedland, and trainer Eve Bergeron. Wally Hennessey drove the $17.20 winner.
Chapolier captured the final for three-year-old trotting colts & geldings.
Chapolier was first to the quarter in :26.2. Barn Hall took over and led to the half in :56.4 and to three-quarters in 1:26.
As they made the turn for home, Chapolier found an opening on the inside and went on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:54.2. Barn Hall was second best as Creditrina finished third.
Chapolier is a gelding by Chapter Seven. He is owned by William Hartt and trained by Lance Hudson. It was his third win of the season and his career. Jordan Stratton drove the $9.00 winner.
Therewasthisgirl dominated sophomores in the pacing fillies final.
Seafood Sweetheart was first to the first quarter in :27. So Amazing then made her move to hit the half first in :55.4. Therewasthisgirl took over heading to the final turn as she was first to three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Therewasthisgirl breezed her way down the stretch winning it easily in a lifetime best of 1:51.4. Itzpapalotl fired late to finish second. Relay Roll collected third money.
Therewasthisgirl is a filly by So Surreal. She is owned by Heather Marshall and trainer George Ducharme. She won for the fifth time this season after being winless as a two-year-old. Tyler Buter steered the $2.30 winner.
Cindy Michelle took the three-year-old trotting fillies final.
Just Joshing controlled all the early fractions of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:27. As they made the turn for home, Izzy Demsky battled Cindy Michelle all they way down the stretch. Cindy Michelle was too strong and won in 1:56. Izzy Demsky had to settle for second with You Make It Easy getting third.
Cindy Michelle is a filly by E L Titan. She is trained by driver John Stark Jr. for owners Peter Barbato and Sam Bova Racing. Unraced as a two-year old she has eight wins this season.
Isaac nipped Bolt Power in the sophomore pacing colts & geldings final.
Surrealin led to the first quarter in :26.2 and to the half in :55.3. Bolt Power made his move and led to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
As they reached the stretch, Bolt Power continued to lead but Isaac had other ideas and ran him down to get the victory in a lifetime-best mile of 1:51.3. Bolt Power had to settle for second. Trevors Ace came up to finish third.
Isaac is a colt by American Ideal. He is owned by Amy Cable and trained by George Ducharme. It was his fourth win this season and the eighth win of his career. Tyler Buter drove the $19.80 winner.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (Sept. 17).
(Vernon Downs)