Vernon, NY — Billie Blue ($8.50) zoomed by to win the $5,000 featured Open 3 Trot on Friday (Oct. 1) evening.

Billie Blue won the co-featured trotting event on Friday night at Vernon Downs. Fotowon Photo.

Battenberg (Roman Lopez) led to the first quarter in :27.  He took them to the half in :57.1.  Frisky Joe (Truman Gale) was first to make a move going first-up as they headed to the final turn.  Battenberg led to three-quarters in 1:27.

As they made the turn for home Southwind Falcon (Ron Harp) came flying three-wide and took over the lead.  Billie Blue then snuck through on the inside and blew right on by to win easily in 1:56.4.  Southwind Falcon had to settle for second.  Ladyyouaregorgeous (Jimmy Whittemore) came late to finish third.

Billie Blue is a 7-year-old mare by Conway Hall.  She is owned by Beauty Bridle Racing Stable Inc. and trained by Jake Huff.  It was her fifth win this season and her 25th career victory.

Jericho Diva ($5.20) cruised to an easy win in the $5,000 featured Open 3 Fillies & Mares Pace.

Jericho Diva charged out of the gate and went straight to the front followed by Culinary Artist (Leon Bailey).  Jericho Diva went to the first quarter first in :27.  She used a :28.4 second quarter to hit the half in :55.4.  It still remained a two-horse race as they headed for the final turn.

Jericho Diva was first to three-quarters in 1:24.1

As they made the turn for home Jericho Diva took off and made it a one-horse race as she won easily in a lifetime best of 1:52.1.  Culinary Artist was a distant second.  Dream On A Roll (Chris Long) finished third.

Jericho Diva is a 6-year-old mare by Rock N Roll Heaven.  She is owned by Jennifer Safford and trained by Don Hoover.  It was her fifth win this season.  She now owns 15 career victories.

Leading driver, Leon on Bailey had four wins on the card.  He got his other wins with Side Hustle ($11.20), Kolin ($8.00), and Billion Dollar Day ($8.50).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Oct. 2) with an 11-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.