Rock Solid Express ($4.10) and driver John MacDonald won the $10,274 featured pace on Saturday, April 27 at Vernon Downs.
Around Midnight (Barton Dalious) went to the front and led to the quarter in :27 while Rock Solid Express made his move first-up from third and took the lead heading down the backstretch. He led to the half in :56 and was first to three-quarters in 1:24.1. As they reached the stretch, Rock Solid Express found another gear and cruised home in a lifetime best of 1:52.3. Around Midnight held on for second and Scrub Hanover (Leon Bailey) finished third.
Rock Solid Express is a four-year-old horse by Huntsville, trained by Jessica Okusko for owners James DeArmond and David Towne. He is two-for-two in 2024 with nine career victories.
John MacDonald drove three winners on the card. Ron Harp had a training-driving double.
Live racing at Vernon Downs returns on Friday, May 3 at 4 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)