New York fair circuit champions crowned

Nowerland Collins, Plumbers Helper, Vagra and Always Best were crowned Champions of the 2009 New York county fair circuit at Vernon Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 5).

 

Nowerland Collins, who was able to compete for purse money only in the $8,000 title tilt for 3-year-old trotters due to an illness scratch of Toast Of The Town, rallied from fifth at the half and closed from second in the final quarter to post a neck victory over Barron Ritch (the pari-mutuel winner) in Saturday’s first race. Jimmy Whittemore drove for trainer Jody Weidman and registered owners Paul and Pauline Nower as the bay daughter of Sir Taurus-Celebrate Collins secured a 1:59 record, her fifth season’s score and increased her lifetime winnings to more than $16,200.

 

Plumbers Helper also came from behind in Saturday’s third race to earn top honors in the 2-year-old pace.

 

With Dave Fisher teaming for trainer and owner Joe Robbins, Jr., the bay son of Pro Bono Best-Equal Pay advanced from fifth at the half and third entering the homestretch to defeat Hamptimburgh by 1-1/2 lengths. The 1:58 performance is a personal best for the career-winner of $10,175, who shows four wins in nine starts.

 

Vagra, a homebred still registered to Doug and Tyra Ackley, turned a pocket trip into a lifetime best 2:01.2 triumph in Saturday’s fourth event, and improved his record to seven wins and four second-place finishes after 13 trips to the track. Doug Ackley did the driving as the bay son of Dream Vacation-Agra became the swiftest altered freshman high-stepper at the meet and improved his career bankroll to $18,843.

 

Always Best, carrying the favorite’s mantle in Saturday’s sixth race, led from start to finish and was able hold off the on-rushing Betting Molin to record a neck victory in 1:55.3. The career-best mile resulted in the fifth win in 13 season’s starts for the 3-year-old son of Pro Bono Best-Armbro Spring, who now sports winnings of more than $11,000 for owner Dean La Clair. Vernon’s top provisional pilot Leon Bailey did the steering for trainer Darwin La Clair.

 

The pacers Speed Skater (Josh Marks driving) and Up Front Rudy (Whittemore) finished in a 1:52.4 dead-heat for win in Saturday’s fifth race.

 

Whittemore, the current dash-leader with 89 wins after 64 programs, and Marks, the defending champ, each chalked up triples during the 10-race card, as did trainer Weidman. (Vernon)