Leaving from the outside seven slot against six slick proponents of the lateral gait in race eight, Bells Are Ringing worked her way up in the outside rally route from fourth at the quarter until she was a challenging second in the final furlong. With Jimmy Whittemore urging on the veteran bay mare, she dug down in the final strides to not only get the lead, but thwart the on-rushing favorite Artic Byrd by a head. The pacesetting Table Games finished third.
It marked the fifth local victory this season for the gritty daughter of Cam's Card Shark-Heavenly Sign, tying her with fellow pacers Canaco Star and Ideally Magic and the trotters Hold On Tightly, Don Dinero, Ulay Boko and Glorious Winner for most equine victories after 43 programs of the track’s 60th anniversary season.
It was the 12th lifetime victory for the career winner of $69,358, who is conditioned by Neal Russo and owned by Cassie Russo and Andrew J. Gannon.
The win was one of three during Thursday’s 11-race card for multiple Downs piloting champion Whittemore, who has been coming on strong of late after a slow season’s start.
Leading driver (84 wins) and trainer (31 tallies) Rick Plano, Vernon’s defending champ in both categories, earned a double, as did his chief racetrack rival, Roman Lopez.