Unusual Clarity (Joe Nassimos) comes flying late to win the featured $6,000 fillies and mares pace at Vernon Downs on Wednesday (August 7).
Traffic Jam (Howard Parker) went to the front just before hitting the first quarter in :26.2. Her lead was two lengths as she hit the half in :55.0. She was still in control when hitting three-quarters in 1:24.0.
Unusual Clarity ($9.70), who is owned by Nicholas Gibides and trained by Paul Minckler, was fifth at the half. She found herself in fourth after three-quarters. It looked like Traffic Jam was going to cruise to an easy victory but Unusaul Clarity found another gear and went by Traffic Jam just before the finish. She equaled her lifetime best of 1:52.3. Traffic Jam had to settle for second with Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) finishing third.
Unusual Clarity is a 4-year-old mare by Betterthancheddar. It was her eighth win this season. She now owns 13 career victories.
Vernon leading driver John MacDonald had two wins on the night to give him 71 victories this season. Howard Parker is second with 58 tallies. Jimmy Whittemore is third with 51 wins. Claude Huckabone III has 26 wins so far this season for fourth place. His dad Claude Huckabone Jr. rounds out the top five with 22 trips to the winner's circle.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday (August 8) featuring New York Sire stakes for sophomore trotting fillies. The 11 race card starts at 6:10 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.
