by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity
The $10,000 feature race at Vernon Downs on Saturday night
was won by JK Panache, who was the longest shot on the board at 7-1 in the
field of five. JK Panache was driven to victory by Truman Gale. The favorite,
You Bet Your Glass, set a strong pace through a half-mile, covering the quarter
in 27.3 and the half in 56.3. However, it was at this point that JK Panache
aggressively attacked from third position, where he had been through the half.
JK Panache passed the leader and never looked back after taking the lead,
posting a final time of 1:52.2 for the mile. Moonlight Ransom, the
second-longest shot on the board at 6-1, also rallied past the fading favorite
to claim second position and the exacta paid $69. The complete order of finish
for the feature was JK Panache, Moonlight Ransom, You Bet Your Glass, Restless
Yankee, and Oozie's Bad Boy. JK Panache is owned by Philip Hale of New
Hartford, NY and David Dewhurst of Clinton, NY. David Dewhurst is also the
trainer.
Also on Saturday night, Rick Plano had a training and
driving triple. His three winners for the evening were Battle Gun in the 2nd
race, Henry Blue Chip in the 5th race, and Red Hot Yankee in the 7th race. Red
Hot Yankee might have been the most impressive performer of the three,
finishing his one mile pace in 1:51.4.
Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Thursday night
with an 11-race card. Thursday night is Dollar Night with $1 hot dogs, sodas,
drafts, popcorn, and live racing programs. First post time is 6:45pm.
