from harness publicists across North America

Thursday’s (Aug. 29) edition of Racing Roundup features a results story from Vernon Downs.

Love You Bye captures Vernon feature

Vernon, NY — Relative newcomer Love You Bye helped driver Jimmy Whittemore attain a driving triple at Vernon Downs on Thursday night with her 1:54.2 triumph in the week’s $10,000 Open for female pacers.

Fotowon photo

Love You Bye was a narrow winner in the Thursday Open.

Making just her second start at Vernon in Thursday’s ninth race, the favorite Love You Bye, second in this class in her Downs debut last week, stayed close to the pace-setting Abbey Road Hanover throughout the mile test. Second entering the stretch drive, the scrappy 4-year-old mare was passed by the on-rushing Elleofnxampe entering the final furlong, but the maneuverable bay daughter of McArdle-Cam’s Genious forged through slim racing room in the inside pylon path and ended up defeating both of her main challengers by three-quarters of a length.

Trained by Vernon veteran Ray Van Dreason for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Howard Taylor, Love You Bye earned her fourth victory of 2013 and ninth all-time, while hiking her lifetime winnings to nearly $143,800.

Whittemore, a multiple former Downs driving champ, also scored with the pacers Make It Kate (1:52.1) and KJ’s Jakee (1:55.3) to record his fourth driving triple of the 56-program meeting.

Also enjoying two-win evenings during Thursday’s 10-race card were leading trainer Rick Plano and driver Chris Lems.

— Jim Moran