Special Olivia battles off cavalry charge

Special Olivia (Roll With Joe) and driver Leon Bailey hung tough in the stretch to win the harness racing featured $5,500 fillies & mares’ pace at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 5).

Special Olivia ($2.90) charged right to the front, but Peggy J (John MacDonald) took control just before hitting the first quarter first in :28.  She used a :29.3 second quarter and led to the half in :57.3.  Special Olivia made her move going around the final turn and led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.

As they reached the stretch Lorrie Sue (Frank Affrunti), Milleniums Girl (Barton Dalious), and Party Queen (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) all came after Special Olivia, but she was up for the challenge and held on to win by a quarter of a length in 1:54.4.  Milleniums Girl was second best.  Party Queen finished third.

Special Olivia is a 5-year-old mare owned by Michael Moore and trained by Michelle Warner.  It was her second win this season and her 11^th career victory.

SPECIAL OLIVIA REPLAY

Chris Long and Jimmy Whittemore had driving doubles on the night.  Trainers Wil Dubois and Marissa Chadbourne each reached the winner’s circle twice on the card.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on derby day Saturday (May 6) with a nine-race card starting at 5:05 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs