by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Driver Leon Bailey and trainer Andy Gardner stole the show on a special Mother’s Day matinee at Vernon Downs. Bailey and Gardner combined for four wins together and Bailey added one more win to his total of five.

Fotowon photo

Big Cal was a 1:51.4 winner on Sunday.

Big Cal (Bailey) crushed the field to win the featured $5,100 pace at Vernon Downs on May 13. Big Cal ($4.80) fired out of the gate and never looked back going gate-to-wire (:26.3, :56, 1:24, 1:51.4).

Owned by Robert Pelc Jr. and trained by Gardner, the race was never in doubt with a lifetime best time. The fight for second went to Danza (Raymond Vizzi) with Shell I Be Bad (Truman Gale) finishing third.

Big Cal is a 5-year-old horse by Big Jim. It was the first win of the season and his fifth career victory.

Bailey and Gardner also had wins with Majestos ($7.40), Fuzzylegsnall ($4.70), and Steuben Magic Ride ($5.50). Bailey got his fifth win with Williams Wish ($6.30) for trainer Doug Miller.

Vernon Downs returns to live action on Friday (May 18), starting at 6:10 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.