Shawn Gray solidifies his North American UDR lead
December 3, 2011,by Mike Sweeney, publicity director, Scarborough Downs
Scarborough, ME — Shawn Gray put on a driving clinic at Scarborough Downs on Saturday (Dec. 3), scoring four wins on the 12-race program while ably demonstrating the grit and talent that has made him the highest rated UDR driver in all of North America this season.
The state of Maine native began the afternoon by working two entries from the family stable into the Scarborough Downs winner’s circle, two steeds who certainly exemplify Gray’s reputation as a high percentage driver.
Derek Davis photo
Driver Shawn Gray scored four wins on Saturday’s 12-race program; in the second race he won with Red Bullet.
Red Bullet utilized his uncanny rally ability to pick off the favored Whitlock N (Kevin Switzer) in deep stretch. The win marked the seventh top placing of the year for the 11-year-old son of Life Sign who has now hit the board in an incredible 22 of 23 seasonal starts.
Not to be outdone by his stablemate, Vas Vixen quickly followed Red Bullet into the winner’s circle, claiming top honors in the afternoon’s fourth. On an extremely fast Scarborough surface, the 10-year-old son of Dream Away scored his ninth win of the year in a seasonal best 1:56.2, while cracking the top three placings for the 18th time from 19 seasonal starts.
Gray’s catch-driving prowess then took over as the man in blue and white scored wins behind Inthepockethistime (1:58.3) before steering the venerable Rupert Rupert (1:56.3) to his 61st career victory.
A well-conditioned and classified stable coupled with a full engagement of top-level catch driving opportunities seems the winning strategy for Shawn Gray and his 2011 assault on the North American UDR championship.
In other news, 18-year-old rookie teamster Aaron Hall secured his first extended pari-mutuel win on Saturday, rallying late to just get up with Fulla Fire whom he drove for his dad, Craig. Off to a fast start in his career, Saturday’s win came in only his second start after recently being elevated to provisional driver status by the Scarborough Downs judges.