Majestic Fire (Dan Daley) wins the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (August 16).
First Call (Homer Hochstetler) went to the first quarter in :26.3. She was pressured all the way around the first turn by Spoiler Alert (Howard Parker). First Call finally shook off Spoiler Alert as she was first to the half in :54.4. Majestic Fire ($3.40) was fifth at the half and came first over as First Call hit three-quarters in 1:25.0.
Majestic Fire, who is owned by Joshua Cukerstein and trained by Wayne Cukerstein, went to the front in the stretch and held off a late charge by second place finisher Winning Princess (Jennifer Lappe) to win in 1:54.3. First Call held on for third.
Majestic Fire is a 4-year-old gelding by Majestic Son. It was his sixth win this season. He now owns 12 career victories.
Gates Brunet drove two winners on the night. He trained and drove Gracie Lane ($6.70) to her first lifetime victory His other win came with the R. Nifty Norman trained Spoiled Princess ($2.30).
Miriam Toland the 74-year-old phenom proved once again she can mix it up with the guys as she took Fleetwood Hall to victory in the mud and the rain. Fleetwood Hall ($12.40) was parked for over half the race and gutted out a win holding off a late charge by Lugar (Jimmy Whittemore). Toland works out daily and is fit as a forty year-old. It is a pleasure to watch her perform on the racetrack.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (August 17) featuring the $330,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial trot for 3-year-old colts and its $135,000 filly companion Grand Circuit stakes. There will also be two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing colts and gelding as well as a $5,000 guaranteed pick four. Free Zweig hats with a purchase of a live Vernon Downs program while supplies last. The 12 race card starts at 6:10 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.
