by James Witherite, Vernon
Downs racing media
Purity never in doubt in
Vernon distaff
Vernon, N.Y. -- Michael
Casalino's Purity ($6.60) was never in doubt, sprinting off through a :55.1
back half to soundly defeat her four rivals in Friday (May 22) evening's
$10,000 Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs.
The four-year-old Always a
Virgin mare had no trouble securing the top spot from her inside post, rating a
soft :57.4 first half mile while facing nary a challenger. On the far
turn, she edged clear of pocket sitting The Filly Princess (Chris Lems) and
first-over Always As Fast (Joe Nassimos), opening up the margin to two lengths
through a :27.2 third quarter. Off the corner, Purity continued to amass
a clear advantage over the others, ultimately putting 6-3/4 lengths on The
Filly Princess for a 1:53 triumph. Tiger Boudoir (Truman Gale) held third
off a tracking trip.
Jimmy Whittemore drove Purity
for trainer Jeff Lieberman. For Whittemore, the win was one of three on
the night, also teaming up with Thats My Dream ($7.80, 1:57) and Incredible
Gambler ($5.30, 1:54.2). John MacDonald also recorded a driving hat
trick, victorious aboard Precious Rose N ($5.30, 1:56.2), Pancakes ($3.20, 1:55.4),
and Sistas ($8.30, 1:59.1) on the 11-race card.
Racing returns to Vernon Downs
on Saturday (May 23) evening, with the first of 11 races due for a 6:45 p.m.
start. Three-year-old trotting fillies take center stage in New York Sire
Stakes action, with 25 trotters contesting three divisions.
