John Pauls Legacy and Princess Hall became divisional champs in a $50,000 late-closing final for New York-bred three-year-old trotters on Friday night at Vernon Downs.
Competing in the $25,000 male division, John Pauls Legacy raced at or near the front-end during Friday's fifth race for trainer/driver Angus Mac Donald and scored by a length and three quarters over Rivers Edge Jim.
It marked the third win in succession and fifth tally this year for the bay son of Credit Winner – Amore Vita, owned by Emil Benvenuto. The 1:58.3 performance over a rain-soaked track was a personal best mile for the career earner of $74,534.
With Bill Bailey doing the catch driving for trainer Jessica Okusko, Princess Hall led throughout the $25,000 ninth race and drew off in the final furlong to dominate the filly flight by nearly eight lengths.
The lifetime best 1:59.3 mile led to the second win in a row and fourth this year for the bay daughter of Conway Hall – Caroline Lobell, who has banked more than $47,700 in 15 seasonal starts for the Purple Haze Stables.
(Vernon Downs)