by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media
Damon Blue Chip strikes late in Vernon feature
Vernon, N.Y. -- After stalking from midpack, the J P
Stables' Damon Blue Chip ($3.00) angled off the pegs en route to head-stretch,
steadily closing on the pacesetters and ultimately prevailing for a 1:51.1
score in Sunday (June 28) afternoon's $7000 featured conditioned pace at Vernon
Downs.
The 6-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding was relaxed early,
allowing A Fool for Mark (Dustin Ingraham), Dont Tell Rusty (Todd Frocione),
and Walks of Life (Frank Davis) all to make moves to the lead before commencing
his. Rated well off a :54.4 half mile, trainer-driver John MacDonald put
Damon Blue Chip into play on the far turn, passing a tiring Dont Tell Rusty to
take third before reaching the head of the stretch, but still five lengths out
of second. Damon Blue Chip made better progress upon straightening out
for home, closing steadily to collar A Fool For Mark--who vacated the pocket to
pass Walks of Life in mid-stretch--by a half length. Celebrity Scandal
(Claude Huckabone, III) rallied from the back of the pack to take fourth.
MacDonald scored a driving double on the 12-race card, as
did Claude Huckabone, Jr., Greg Merton, and Shawn McDonough.
