Vernon, N.Y. -- Employing a tracking trip through much of
the mile, Connie Hochstetler's Southern Girl ($12.20) reached late to nose out
even-money favorite All Charged Up in Thursday (August 4) evening's featured
$8,000 Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs.
Jimmy Whittemore floated forward with the 4-year-old
Sportsmaster mare to take third in the initial stages, drafting behind Looney
Dune (Ben McNeil) and Super Soph (Chris Lems) through early splits of :26.2 and
:55.3. On the far turn, Southern Girl found herself locked in, as All Charged
Up (John MacDonald) commenced a first-over rally on approach to the quarter
pole. Whittemore worked Southern Girl second-over upon cornering, and the pair
ultimately swung three-wide as All Charged Up took command at the eighth pole.
Southern Girl dueled strongly off cover to prevail by a hard-fought nose in
1:51. Looney Dune, the early pacesetter, was a worn-down third.
Homer Hochstetler trains Southern Girl, now an 11-time
winner.
The evening's sub-featured $5,500 Miracle Mile pace for
distaffers saw Embassy Seelster ($2.70) control all the terms and edge clear to
a two-length victory over Jinxy's Delight in 1:51.2. Fern Paquet, Jr. drove the
6-year-old Modern Art mare for trainer Allie Berube.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (August 5)
evening, with post time slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
