by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity
Upfront Secret (The Panderosa-Sweet Reflection) rallied in
the stretch to get the victory in the $6,500 feature race at Vernon Downs on
Friday night. Upfront Secret (Truman Gale) was apparently in a tough game of
catch-up as Kylers Valentine (Rick Plano) rallied to a four-length lead at the
top of the stretch, but as the race continued Kylers Valentine appeared to tire
slightly through the lane. This gave Upfront Secret the opportunity
to storm to victory on the outside in a final time of 1:53.3. The
favorite, Bad Girl Vegas (Fern Paquet Jr.), finished third after her
attempt to catch the leader fell a bit short. Upfront Secret is owned by
Ross Bonafield of West Edmeston, New York and trained by Robert Gale. The
complete order of finish was: Upfront Secret, Kylers Valentine, Bad Girl Vegas,
Got The Munchies, Table Games, Sweet Bettor, Mighty Nice, and That's My Dream.
Friday night was also the first leg of the
Racing Under Saddle Series at Vernon Downs. The five-horse field competed
in a non-wagering exhibition race and the easy winner was Tymal Oh So Nice
(Striking Sahbra-Tymal Abracadabra). Tymal Oh So Nice (Heather Reese) took the
lead immediately after the starting gate opened and was never really
challenged throughout the remainder of the race, winning handily in 2:02.4. It
certainly appears that Tymal Oh So Nice is comfortable under saddle. He had
also shown good form in a Racing Under Saddle Qualifier on July 1,
winning by seven lengths and covering the distance that day in 2:00.3. Tymal Oh
So Nice is owned by Ronald MacDonald of Russell, Ontario, Canada and Valerie
Blackmore of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Ronald MacDonald is also the trainer.
Sundowner Bob broke stride at the start and never got back trotting, so while
he finished second, he ended being placed fifth for being off-stride
throughout the event. The complete order of finish for the first leg of
the Racing Under Saddle Series was: Tymal Oh So Nice, Vassar
Hall, Armbro Doyle, My Irish Molly, and Sundowner Bob. The second leg of the
Racing Under Saddle Series at Vernon
Live racing at Vernon Downs will resume on Saturday night
with a first post time of 6:45pm. The featured event on the 9-race program is
the 8th race, a $10,000 Open I Trot, with My Revenuer set as the 2-1
morning line favorite.
