Prairie Panther (Royel Millennium, John MacDonald) captured the $7,500 featured harness racing pace on Saturday (April 20) at Vernon Downs.
Around Midnight (Barton Dalious) went to the front and led to the quarter in :27.0.Ā Prairie Panther ($6.10) came first-up and challenged Around Midnight for the lead.Ā After Midnight got to the half first in :57.0.Ā The two continued to duke it out all the way around the final turn.Ā Around Midnight was first to three-quarters in 1:24.4.
As they made the turn for home Around Midnight appeared to shake off Prairie Panther but Prairie Panther wasnāt done and blew right on by to win in 1:54.0.Ā Old Pal (Truman Gale) came flying late but had to settle for second money.Ā Bluesville (Frank Affrunti) finished third.
Prairie Panther is a 10-year-old gelding .Ā He is owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters.Ā It was his first win this season.Ā He now has 73 career wins.
PRAIRIE PANTHER REPLAY
Macdonald and Frank Affrunti had driving triples.Ā George Ducharme had a training double.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (April 27) at 6:05 p.m.
For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by John Horne, for Vernon Downs