Vernon: Big Apple eliminations in the books
:quality(75))
Kountry Plunge is now six-for-six after she won her $20,000 Big Apple elimination for New York-sired 2-year-old filly trotters on Friday evening at Vernon Downs.
The sire stakes champion, driven by Brian Sears, got away fourth to the 27 4/5 quarter, then came to the outside and took the lead away from Solar Queen (Tyler Buter) beyond the 57 2/5 half. Once she landed on top, Kountry Plunge went on to reach three-quarters in 1:26 before she closed in 28 1/5 to prevail by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:54 1/5. Wavy Xavie (Jeff Gregory) came in second, followed by Secret Lover (Jason Bartlett) and Seven Thirds (Matt Kakaley).
► WATCH THE ENTIRE RED MILE SATURDAY CARD LIVE ON DRF + GET ANALYSIS & PPS
A Chapter Seven filly, Kountry Plunge was bred by Kountry Lane Standardbred LLC., is trained by Ake Svanstedt and is owned by Obm Stable, Svanstedt & Midnight Sun, Bender Sweden Inc. and Ecurie Diocles Ab. Kountry Plunge has pocketed $287,100 and returned $2.10 to win.
Bartlett won four of the other eliminations. He tallied in a colt and gelding pace with Rose Run Cowboy (by Huntsville and bred by Larry Schlabach, paid $2.82 to win) in 1:52 3/5 for trainer Ron Burke and owners Thomas and Scott Dillon, in a colt and gelding trot with Gio's Hope (by Chapter Seven and bred by Little E LLC., paid $2.78 to win) in 1:54 for trainer Marcus Melander and owners Brixton Medical Inc. and Hatfield Stables, a colt and gelding pace with Global Choice (by Courtly Choice and bred by Winbak Farm, paid $3.34 to win) in 1:50 3/5 for trainer Garry Merner Jr. and owner Gino Toscani and a filly pace with Cowboy Candy (by So Surreal and bred by Eric Taddeo, paid $2.44 to win) in 1:51 3/5 for trainer Aaron Lambert and owner Chain Lightning Stables LLC.
Brett Beckwith also prevailed twice. He connected in a filly pace with Carly Shay (by Huntsville and bred by Kad Farm, paid $8.82 to win) in 1:51 2/5 for trainer Megan Scran and owner Scp Stable Inc. and in a colt and gelding trot with Ocean Storm (by Chapter Seven and bred by co-owner Ecurie Jean-Pierre Barjon, paid $2.22 to win) in 1:53 for trainer Cam Capone and owners Adh Holdings LLC., Paul Kautz and Jeff Gural.
► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter
Jula Florence won her filly trot elimination in 1:55 1/5 with Tyler Miller in the bike for trainer Julie Miller. Bred by Jula Racing Inc., the victorious daughter of Chapter Seven is owned by Andy Miller Stable Inc., Windsong Stable and Dumain Haven Farm LLC. and paid $4.62 to win.
Vernon will host the four $250,000 Big Apple finals next Friday.