Dry Gulch became the meet's initial two-time winning pacer following a 1:51.1 upset verdict over the favored One More Laugh in Saturday night's featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.After a heavy downpour during the previous race turned the track's condition to sloppy, Dry Gulch took the select Open-1 field to the quarter in :27.2 and the half in :55.2.
Biding his time in fourth during the early going, One More Laugh, making his 2011 debut, employed a sling-shot move off the first turn to gain the lead on the backstretch, and then paced the four-horse cast past three-quarters in 1:22.4.
Only one and a quarter lengths back entering the homestretch, Dry Gulch ($10.20) became reenergized in the final sixteenth, powering back to the front and prevailing over the crowd's choice by one length.
In addition to becoming the four-night meet's first two-time winning pacer, the gritty 4-year-old gelding gathered up his fifth victory in eight current outings.
Jack Rice drove for trainer Tracy Brainard, who owns the career winner of $65,783 along with Andrew Herzog.
Stablemate Cello Hanover joined Fancy Shot as the meet's only two-time winning trotters following a 1:58 decision in Saturday's $4,000 eighth event.
DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon's speed standard for the meet was 1:53 prior to Dry Gulch's comeback victory... Provisional drivers Lonny Hale (Johnny Midnight) and Michael Miller (Pacific Wave) each acquired their initial wins at the meet during Saturday's 12-race card... The Downs will offer live racing at 7 p.m. next Friday and Saturday. Thursday night programs will be added to the projected 90-card schedule starting on May 5... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com and by following us on Twitter www.twitter.com/governondowns
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