UR Theonethatiwant and Hall Oats were the fastest winners in their respective gender divisions of the Thursday, September 3 late-closing event for New York-bred three-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.
UR Theonethatiwant raced like it was the best in the second race and proved it with a front-striding 1:56.3 triumph in the second of three filly flights. Trainer Gates Brunet did the teaming as the quick-footed daughter of Malabar Man--Sweet Gypsy Rose earned a fresh win record and its second score after six seasonal starts for owner-breeder Patricia Crawford and Albert C. Crawford.
Hall Oats rallied from fourth in the early going and closed from third in the final quarter to post a one length, 1:58.1 triumph in Thursday’s fourth race, the first of two divisional tests for sophomore male high-steppers. Ruel 'Dude' Goodblood, Jr. did the teaming for his wife, Whitney, as the determined son of Conway Hall--Imperial Girl charted its second win in succession and third in eight lifetime starts for owner Margret J. Smith.
Mystic Splendor won Thursday’s other male test after a pocket trip that resulted in a one-length tally in the seventh dash. Howard Okusko, Jr. drove for his wife, Jessica, who co-owns and trains the bay son of Giant Hit--Mystic Virtue. The 1:58.4 mile resulted in the third Vernon victory and fourth season’s score for the capable colt, who is also registered to Kenneth Finnerty.
The other filly flights were won by Princess Robyn (Conway Hall-Peace N Harmony), which earned its third career victory after a 1:59 performance for driver Kyle Di Benedetto, trainer/part-owner David Dziengiel, and his partners Joseph Ricco, Jr., Robyn and Anthony Lake, and Fruit Bar (Malabar Man--Spawning), which earned its maiden triumph after a 1:59 effort for driver Jimmy Whittemore, trainer John Stark, Jr. and the Winbak Farm.
(With files from Vernon Downs)