10/10/2026
💪🏻🔥
Kountry Plunge and Cowboy Candy set track records in Big Apple Finals at Vernon
by John Horne
(Fotowon photo)
Vernon Downs played host to four $250,000 Big Apple Finals at Vernon Downs on Friday (October 9).
Kountry Plunge (Brian Sears) captures the Big Apple Fillies Trot Final.
Jason Bartlett aggressively sent Secret Lover to the front from post 6, clicking off a sharp opening quarter of 27.2 seconds. Moving down the backstretch, Sears tipped Kountry Plunge to the outside using an effortless brush, she cleared to the lead before the half-mile pole, getting to the half in :57.1. She cruised to three quarters in 1:26.0.
As they made the turn for home Kountry Plunge left the others in her dust winning in a track record time for freshmen fillies in 1:53.2. Seven Thirds (Matt Kakaley) was second best. Wavy Xavie (Jeff Gregory) finished third.
Kountry Plunge is a filly by Chaper Seven-Plunge Blue Chip. She is trained by Åke Svanstedt for owners: OBM Stable, Svanstedt & Midnight Sun, Bender Sweden Inc., and Ecurie Diocles AB. She is now seven for seven.
Gio’s Hope (Jason Bartlett) takes the Big Apple Colts & Geldings Trot Final.
Jordan Stratton fired aggressively from post 6 with Archon, sizzling through a sharp opening quarter of 27.2. However, Ocean Storm (Brett Beckwith) was not content to sit in the pocket. The heavy 3-5 favorite, moved to the front, pressing forward to take command before the field reached a rated half-mile in 57 seconds flat. Gio’s Hope ($6.22) came flying around the final turn as he went eyeball-to-eyeball with a stubborn Ocean Storm at the three-quarter beam in 1:25.1.
As they made the turn for Gio's Hope dug deep on the rim, grinding past third place finisher Ocean Storm at the top of the stretch to take a narrow lead. Just as Gio's Hope cleared, second place finisher Archon (Jordan Stratton) came all out after the lead, but Gio's Hope refused to be denied winning in a lifetime best of 1:53.1.
Gio's Hope is a c**t by Chapter Seven- Southwind Hope picked up the victory for trainer Marcus Melander and owners Brixton Medical Inc. and Hatfield Stables. It was his fifth career win.
Cowboy Candy (Jason Bartlett) dominates the Big Apple Filly Pace Final.
Carly Shay went straight to the front from post 5, blasting through an opening quarter in 27.2 seconds. Too Pink To Pass (Lauren Tritton) secured the early pocket spot, while the 4-5 favorite, Cowboy Candy ($3.86) sat patiently in fourth. Carly Shay led to the half in :54.0. Cowboy Candy made her move heading around the final turn. She was first to three quarters in 1:21.2.
As they made the turn for home, Cowboy Candy opened a daylight advantage, pacing away from the field in hand. She crossed the wire in a blazing 1:49.2 smashing the track record for freshmen filly pacers. Annie O (Jeff Gregory) came up to finish second. Huntsville Honey (Tyler Buter) was third best.
Cowboy Candy is a filly by So Surreal-Caviart Elena. She is owned by Chain Lightning Stables and trained by Aaron Lambert. It was her eighth win in 10 career starts.
Global Choice (Brian Sears) wins thrilling Big Apple Colts & Geldings Final.
Leon Bailey sent Its News To Me flying from post 8 to seize the lead through a blazing 25.4 opening quarter. Rowdy Station (Brett Beckwith) settled directly behind him in the pocket. Bailey tapped the brakes slightly in the second quarter, leading the field through a 55.0 half-mile. Rose Run Cowboy (Jason Barlett) came first-up to challenge heading around the final turn. Its News To Me led to three quarters in 1:22.4.
As they reached the stretch Global Choice ($2.76) came charging like a freight train battling second place finisher Its News To Me all the way down the stretch. He got up in time to win in a lifetime best of 1:50.2. Rowdy Station finished third.
Global Choice is a c**t by Courtly Choice-Peak Of Chic. He is owned by Gino Toscani and trained by Gary Merner Jr. It was his third career win.
Leon Bailey drove five winners on the 14-race card.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (October 10) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
