Trotters and distaff pacers shared the spotlight at the harness racing meeting at Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 22) evening, and both $7,000 upper-level co-featured events saw decisive winners.
The distaff pacing feature went to Pancakes ($3.00), a Heidi Rohr trainee who brushed to the lead after The Filly Princess (Frank Davis) clicked off a :27.4 initial quarter.
After sweeping to the fore from third, the 4-year-old Sand Shooter mare drew clear of her five rivals, opening up a four-length lead through three-quarters in 1:23.1.
Pancakes held clear to the end of her 1:51.4 triumph, maintaining 3-1/4 lengths clearance over a mild late rally from runner-up Love You Bye (Jimmy Whittemore).
Truman Gale drove Pancakes for owner Dolores Smiel.
While an odds-on favourite prevailed in the distaff feature, Fleetwood Hall ($21.40) scored a minor upset in the trotting feature, commencing his bid from worse than midfield once 3-5 favourite Verdi broke stride on the first turn.
Roman Lopez moved the 5-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe gelding off the pegs with well over a half mile to go, sustaining a bold first-over bid through the far turn before pushing clear of pacesetter Ulster (Brian Russo) after passing three-quarters in 1:26.
Once he passed Ulster, Fleetwood Hall opened up in the final yards, ultimately putting 4-3/4 lengths on Ulster for a 1:54.4 score.
Painite (Truman Gale) sustained a mild bid to take third.
Deedra Johnson trains Fleetwood Hall for the M T Stables.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Sunday (August 23) afternoon. Post time is 1:15 p.m. Eastern.
James Witherite