Vernon, NY – Let Them Gossip (Chris Long) pulled off an upset victory in the $7,500 Featured Fillies & Mares Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 3).
Better Double Flip (Leon Bailey) left alertly from the gate to establish control, carving out an opening quarter mile in :27.4 while Let Them Gossip settled comfortably directly behind her in the pocket. Bailey was able to tap the brakes down the backstretch, guiding the favorite through an easy half-mile fraction of :58. Mybitcoin (John Macdonald) launched a powerful first-over bid from fifth, pressing hard on the outside to draw even with the leader at the three-quarter pole. Better Double Flip was first to three quarters in 1:26.4.
As they reached mid-stretch, Let Them Gossip ($11.68) found an opening near the pylons. She easily surged past the tiring leader in the final sixteenth to win by a length and a half. Better Double Flip stayed on to save second, while Mybitcoin fought bravely to finish third.
Let Them Gossip is a 3-year-old filly by Sunshine Beach. She is owned by Harmon Racing Stable LLC and Alexandra Skowyra while trained by Rob Harmon. It was win number 11 this season. She now has 13 career victories.
Trainer Harmon and driver Long combined for a hat trick. Frank Affrunti had a driving triple.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (Oct. 9) featuring the Big Apple Finals with a post time of 5:05 p.m.