by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media
VERNON, N.Y. -- After a quick pace did him in the week prior
at Saratoga, Stirling Cadet ($4.90) found a change in venue and the cut back to
a mile welcome, as he turned in a dominating 1:53.2 effort in Friday (April 22)
evening's featured $9,000 Open Trot on Vernon Downs's inaugural program of
2016.
Jimmy Whittemore wasted no time with the 5-year-old Conway
Hall gelding, seizing command from Pocket Trip (Fern Paquet, Jr.) through a
:28.1 initial quarter. After a :56.3 middle half, Stirling Cadet edged
clear of his five rivals while in hand, amassing 6-1/2 lengths of separation
before he reached the winning post. Pocket Trip held sway for second,
while A Penny Earned (Chris Lems) made a mild bid off the far turn to capture
third.
Jackie Rousse trains 22-time winner Stirling Cadet for the
Kellogg Racing Stables, LLC and Janie Martin.
The featured win capped a treble for Whittemore on the
12-race card. Chris Lems also recorded three driving wins on the
evening. Angus MacDonald led all trainers with two wins.
Total betting turnover on the Opening Night card--both
on-track and off-track--rose significantly compared to the first program of
2015. As no one had all five winners in the inaugural Pick 5, Saturday's
Pick 5 (starting in race nine) will sport a $413 carryover.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 23)
evening, with the first of 13 races due off at 6:45 p.m. EDT.
