Digging For Gold strikes in Open Pace thriller

Digging For Gold (Ron Harp) grabs the $8,500 featured Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (September 26).

War Of Will (John MacDonald) led to the opening quarter in :26.1.  Mullinax (Aaron Byron) took command heading to the backstretch and was first to the half in :54.2.  Digging For Gold ($10.22) made his move as they went around the final turn.  Mullinax led to three quarters in 1:22.3.

As they reached the stretch Digging For Gold passed third place finisher Mullinax.  Second place finisher Natameri (Jacquavyian Carter) came charging late but was too late as Digging For Gold won in 1:50.3.

Digging For Gold is a 4-year-old gelding by Huntsville.  He is owned by Big Sky Ranch and trained by Harp.  It was his fourth win this season and 16th career victory.

DIGGING FOR GOLD REPLAY

Leon Bailey had a driving hat trick.  Chris Long, Dylan Huckabone-Miller, and Aaron Byron had driving doubles.  David Dewhurst had a training double.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (October 2) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs