Sustaining a first-over bid through the far turn, Wings of Royalty ($2.40) wore down the pacesetting Count Speed for a 1:54.3 triumph in the $8000 Open II Trot at the harness racing meeting at Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 1) evening.
Count Speed (John MacDonald) crossed and cleared from the extreme outside to dictate the terms, rating a :56.4 half mile before facing the first-over Wings of Royalty on the far turn.
The two dueled through a :28.1 third quarter, continuing their battle off the corner while leaving the pocket-sitting A Lister (Fern Paquet, Jr.) five lengths in arrears.
Wings of Royalty ultimately prevailed by three-quarters of a length, wearing down Count Speed in the final yards.
Fleetwood Hall (Roman Lopez) charged off cover to take third, just missing by a length.
George Ducharme trains Wings of Royalty for owner-breeder Raymond Campbell, Jr.
Truman Gale led all drivers with four wins on the 11-race program.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Sunday (August 2) afternoon, with the first of 10 races scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.
James Witherite