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Saturday, July 5, 2014

UPFRONT SECRET UP IN TIME

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.