Ms Cheesman (Howard Okusko Jr) wins the harness racing featured fillies and mares pace ($6,500) on Friday (August 31).
Angel Speak (Claude Huckabone III) went to the front and led to a first quarter of :26.3 and then to a half of :56.0. Ms Cheesman ($7.70) followed in the pocket. Owned by Bay Pond Racing and trained by Jessica Okusko, she popped out of the pocket just before they hit three-quarters in 1:25.1.
She took over and just cruised down the stretch to win in 1:53.0. Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) came up to finish second. Jaclyn Hanover (John MacDonald) got third money.
Ms Cheesman is a 3-year-old filly by Betterthancheddar. It was her fifth win this season and career victory number 6.
The veteran Jay Sears wins another at Vernon Downs.
In 10 drives this season, Sears has four wins and one second this season. For anyone that is a a great record. What is amazing is that Sears is 76 years old. The lovable driver is racing like he is a youngster. He guided Star Flyer ($10.60) to a gate-to-wire victory in a lifetime best of 1:58.1.
Star Flyer is a 4-year-old mare by Cantab Hall. She is co-owned by Sears with David Fishman and trained by Ray Van Dreason. It was her fourth win in 11 starts this season. It was career victory number five. How can you not root for Sears? If you love harness racing all you can do is smile!
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (September 1) with a 10 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com
by John Horne, for Vernon Downs