by Jim Moran, publicity director, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Café Bar and Ted’s Girl continued their winning ways in round two of the Coca-Cola Pacing Series and Tyler’s Jackpot earned “Queen of the Hill” honors in harness racing action at Vernon Downs on Thursday night (May 20).

Café Bar became the second three-time pacing winner and third overall at the meet after she powered to a lifetime best 1:55¹ decision in the second Coca-Cola split, while Ted’s Girl improved his season’s slate to two wins and a second place finish in three outings with a career fastest 1:55⁴ showing in the other $2,500 division.

Café Bar closed from third at the head of the stretch and out-battled Dark Surprise in the final sixteenth to gain a head decision for driver Jack Rice, trainer Sam Serianni and the Sam Elkin, Ed Namiotka, Chancy Tancredi and Slo-Down Stable. The tight tally increased her lifetime winnings to $52,733.

With Gaetan Brunet doing the driving for his wife, Deborah, the trainer, and owner Emil Benvenuto, Ted’s Girl got all the front-end calls en route to a three and a half length triumph in the earlier series showdown. It was the second straight score for the still green three-year-old filly.

The top point earners from the two preliminary rounds qualify for a $6,500-added series final here next Thursday night.

The Abbott And Costello Stable’s Tyler’s Jackpot unleashed a strong closing charge that carried her to a 1:57³ victory in the week’s top test for female pacers. Adam Wahl drover for trainer Arnie Marks as the six-year-old mare advanced from fifth at the half and kicked home from second in the stretch to nip the pacesetting Special Goddess by a nose at the finish of the mile. It was the first tally in three current tries for the six-year-old mare, who has banked $676,745 in her fine career.

Vernon’s next live harness program will be Friday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m.