Woodside Gabe earned his second straight victory in the $11,486 Open Handicap Trot at Vernon Downs on Friday, Sept. 6.
Zapaca (Steeven Genois) led to the first quarter in :27 with Woodside Gabe and driver Leon Bailey advancing. Zapaca held a short lead to the half in :55.4, but Woodside Gabe cleared to command heading to the final turn and clocked three-quarters in 1:24.1. Down the stretch, Woodside Gabe opened up 3-1/2 lengths en route to a career-best victory in 1:53.4, knocking two-fifths of a second off his lifetime mark taken in sloppy conditions last Saturday. Zapaca held for second and Deli Tessel (Frank Affrunti) finished third.
Woodside Gabe, a four-year-old gelding by Dover Dan, is trained by Amanda Bailey for owners David Faile and Joe Facin Jr. The win was his fourth of the season from 22 starts and his 10th career victory.
Woodside Gabe paid $8 to win as the 2-1 second choice to early breaker Makadushin N Cheez.
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)