Late Bloomer Series debuts at Vernon Downs

A Penny Earned used a powerful closing kick to finish first in Friday's $8,500 Junior Open trot at Vernon Downs, while Celebrity Obsesion chalked up the fastest flight in the night's $42,000 leg of the track's new Late Bloomer Series for three and 4-year-old trotters.

A Penny Earned drew off in the stretch (final quarter in :28.3) to record a solid six-length score in Friday's $8,500 eighth event, stopping the timer in 1:55 over a track labeled sloppy to record a personal best win-mark. 

Chris Lems held the lines as the 3-year-old son of Conway Hall-Penny Dream delivered his second season's victory and seventh all-time tally, while bumping his career earnings to more than $189,100 for trainer George Ducharme and his ownership partners Alfred Ross, Paul Fontaine and Nicola Oliva.

With Vernon's leading driver Rick Plano doing the teaming, Celebrity Obsesion turned a pocket trip into a 1:56.1 triumph in Friday's $6,000 first race, earning a 1:56.1 record, his second season's score and fourth lifetime victory for trainer Susanne Strandqvist and owner Sam Stathis.

Friday's other Late Bloomer Series winners were Liborio in 1:58.1, Zanna Royal in 1:58.3, Mrs. D in 1:58.4, Miss Eva Cash in 1:59.2, Helios in 2:00.1 and Painite in 2:00.2.

Driver Dan Daley captured the final three events of Friday's 13-race program to record his initial driving triple at the 75-program meeting, while Chris Lems also piloted three winners for the 10^th time at the meet.  

DOWNS DOINGS—A Penny Earned, Mrs. D, Mr. Avalanche, Up Front Ben, Small Bills and Liborio all became two-time winning trotters at the meet as a result of their Friday first-place finishes…Saturday night's 12-race card, which includes an $8,500 Junior Open pace in the eighth event, will begin at 6:55 p.m…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.