OK Heavenly ($26.80) sustained a first-over push through the far turn in Friday (May 27) evening's $8,000 Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs, chasing down and reeling in odds-on pacesetter All Charged Up for a 1:50.2 victory.
Truman Gale settled OK Heavenly last but one in the field of five, having no part of the strenuous pace All Charged Up (John MacDonald) set. After early fractions of :26 and :54.2, All Charged up drew away from pocket rival Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) on the far turn. Love Live Laugh's failure to keep pace on the turn prompted a first-over bid from OK Heavenly, who gradually worked into second off the far turn. The four-year-old Sportswriter mare sustained progress all the way to the winning post, collaring All Charged up in the final yards and besting her by half a length in the end. Little Santamonica (Frank Davis) escaped far-turn traffic trouble to save third.
Heidi Rohr trains OK Heavenly for the partnership of Steven Kouray, Donald DeLuca, and Peter Daratsos.
Jimmy Whittemore led all drivers with a hat trick, victorious with Gimme The Cash ($11.60, 1:52.4), Southern Girl ($14.40, 1:52), and My Future Ex ($9.00, 1:55.4).
Saturday (May 28) evening is headlined by a trio of New York Sire Stakes events for three-year-old trotting fillies, carded as races five, seven, and nine on the 11-race card. Meadowlands standout Stick Of Butter (Francisco del Cid), 2015 two-year-old NYSS champion Non Stick (Mark MacDonald), and locally-based Swinging Royalty (Chris Lems) have all been installed as morning line favourites in their respective events. Post time is 6:45 p.m. EDT.
(Vernon Downs)