Late charge captures Vernon Open

Islay N (Justin Huckabone), a 14-1 harness racing longshot, went from last-to-first to win the $7,700 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (May 14).

Surreal Feeling (Josh Kinney) went straight to the front and led to the first quarter in :26.2.  She used a :28.0 second quarter to hit the half first in :54.2.  The 7-year-old mare glided to the three-quarters in 1:23.1.

As they made the turn for home Surreal Feeling looked like she was destined to win.  Islay N ($31.40) had other ideas.  She was last at three-quarters but she looked like a rocket down the stretch and just got up in time to win in a seasonal best mile of 1:52.0.  Surreal Feeling had to settle for second money.  Purameri (John McDonald) finished third.

Islay N is a 10-year-old mare by Stonebridge Regal.  She is trained by Huckabone for owner Jonathan Applebaum.  It was her second win this season.  She now has 24 career victories.

ISLAY N REPLAY

Brett Crawford had three driving wins on the card.  He combined with trainer Marissa Chadbourne to get wins with Galactic Storm ($7.30) and Winding Hill ($11.40).  His other win came with Ladyyouaregorgeous ($17.80).

Jeff Sorenson had three training wins on the card.  He combined with driver Barton Dalious to get wins with Taken Control ($5.20) and Lapanto ($16.20).  He was driver-trainer for his final win when he won with Samson J ($28.40).

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (May 20) with a post time of 6:05 p.m. For more information, click here. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs