Elleofnxample scores in Vernon feature

Vernon, NY — Elleofnxample produced a strategic surge that carried her to a 1:52.4 victory in Thursday night’s $9,500 featured eighth event at Vernon Downs.

Fotowon photo

Elleofnxample was a narrow winner in the Vernon feature.

Todd Frocione did the teaming for trainer Tony Mondi and his father, Lon, in the week’s Open contest for female pacers as Elleofnxample ($15.20) rallied from fourth at the quarter with a first-over move on the backstretch, then past the half, timed in :57.2, took command and outlasted the fast-closing Glam Cam by a half-length at the finish.

Thursday’s tally was the second this season (first at Vernon) and the 16th all-time for the quick-footed 6-year-old daughter of N Xample-Farline Hanover, who bumped her career winnings up to $122,384.

Driver Chris Lems raised his meet-leading win total to 33 with a triple during Thursday’s 11-race card, while runner-up dash leader Rick Plano posted a driving and training double during the meet’s 18th program. It was also a multiple win night for drivers Brian Connor (two) and Frank Milby (two).

— Jim Moran

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
It was a monster night on Thursday at Saratoga Casino and Raceway for trainer Perry Simser who recorded a rare training triple. The veteran conditioner returned from Florida in the early spring and has already made an impact at the Spa. On Thursday night, Simser caught a break early when his Sabjab (Cash Hall) benefited from a disqualification to be placed first and break her maiden. Another Simser trainee came out to record her first lifetime win on Thursday as well as Princess Royalty (Credit Winner) came from a long way back before stopping the timer in 2:03.1 to break her maiden with Brian Cross in the sulky. Simser’s hat trick was completed by Keltic Dragon (Allamerican Native) who after being tracked down at odds of 1-5 last week, made good this time in a career best 1:56.4. Both Sabjab and Keltic Dragon were piloted to their victories by Stephane Bouchard. Simser came into the night with five training victories this season and added a hearty three to that tally on Thursday night.

Scioto Downs
The sophomore trotting filly Bingo Queen trotted to an easy 1:57.2 win at Scioto Downs on Thursday night with Dan Noble, the leading driver in North America last year, in the sulky. Bingo Queen was one of four winning drives for Noble on Thursday night. The daughter of CR Excalibur paid a whopping $29.00, $15.20 and $7.80 in winning for the first time in three starts this season. She is owned and trained by Patrick Spryn. Noble left quickly with Bingo Queen from post eight, but wound up parked fourth at the quarter as EZ Go Lavec and DJ John Boy fought for the lead in the first quarter. Then Noble stepped his trotting filly to the front, reaching the half-mile marker in 1:00. Driver Chris Page was on the move with the 3-2 favorite Rose Run Molly in the third quarter, but Noble confidently kept his filly in front and rebuffed the challenge from the favorite. Her final half-mile in :57.2 left Bingo Queen all alone at the wire, more than three lengths ahead of EZ Go Lavec. DJ John Boy held for third place. In winning, Bingo Queen lowered her mark more than five seconds from last year. At the end of July 2011, she won in 2:02.3 at Northfield, also with Dan Noble in the bike. Bingo Queen was bred by Winbak Farm and sold as a yearling for $700 at the Blooded Horse Sale in Delaware.

Plainridge Racecourse
A series of thunderstorms delayed the usual 4 p.m. start of the racing program on Thursday at Plainridge. The afternoon’s first race went off at 5:02 p.m., an hour after the storm and threat of lightning passed. The nine-race card went off as scheduled after that and the last race was completed by 7:30 p.m. Racing continues at Plainridge on Monday (June 11) with its usual 4 p.m. post.