A bold middle move was enough for Pounce K ($19.00) to overpower odds-on favourite Count Speed in Saturday (August 8) evening's $8000 Open II Trot at the harness racing meeting at Vernon Downs.
Chris Lems settled the 5-year-old Donato Hanover gelding just worse than midfield in the initial stages, drafting well off a :28.1 first-quarter duel between Count Speed (John MacDonald) and Gaelic and Garlic (Frank Davis).
On the backstretch, Pounce K made an aggressive move, vaulting clear of rivals en route to a clear lead on the approach to the far turn.
Once Count Speed pulled the half back to :57.4, he struggled to fend off the charging Pounce K, who subsequently opened up the lead to 3-1/2 lengths through a :27.3 third quarter.
Pounce K would hold that margin intact to a 1:54.1 victory as Fleetwood Hall (Roman Lopez) and Frisky Joe (Claude Huckabone, III) mounted mild late bids to round out the top three spots.
Odds-on favourite Count Speed faded to finish sixth in the seven-horse event.
David Dewhurst trains Pounce K for owner Regina Dewhurst.
Lems and Jimmy Whittemore both recorded driving doubles on the 9-race card.
Live racing returns on Sunday (August 9) afternoon, with the nine-race card due to commence at 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.
James Witherite