by James Witherite, Vernon
Downs racing media
A Fool For Mark could not be
caught in Vernon pace
Clearing his four rivals early
on, A Fool For Mark ($4.30) kicked clear on the far turn and remained elusive
on the lead in a $6500 upper-level conditioned pace at Vernon Downs on Sunday
(May 17) afternoon.
Owner/trainer/driver Dustin
Ingraham sent the nine-year-old Western Ideal gelding right to the front,
controlling a :54.2 first half mile while tracked by Giant Sculpture (Roman
Lopez). On the far turn, A Fool For Mark kicked clear, leaving Giant Sculpture
four lengths behind through a :27.4 third quarter. As Giant Sculpture
faded in upper stretch, A Fool For Mark had amassed enough of a margin to stave
off late challengers UF Bettors Hanover (Justin Huckabone) and The Green Knight
(John MacDonald), both of whom rallied from the back of the pack to finish
second and third respectively. A Fool For Mark ultimately held clear by
two lengths, wrapping up his winning mile in 1:50.3.
Live racing returns to Vernon
Downs on Friday (May 22) evening, with first post scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
Eastern time.
