Bourbon Express (Howard
Okusko Jr.) and Palomar (Justin Huckabone) capture the co-features at Vernn
Downs on Saturday (May15).
Bourbon Express holds
firm to win the $7,000 Open Trot.
American JJ (Michael
Miller) charged out for the early lead as Bourbon Express ($5.50) came up to
challenge with Winding Hill (Josh Kinney) going three-wide as they headed for
the first turn. Bourbon Express got to
the first quarter first in :27.1.
Spoiler Alert (Truman Gale) was the first to challenge as they went down
the backstretch. Bourbon Express led to
the half in :57.3. He shook loose and
hit three-quarters first in 1:25.3.
As they made the turn for
home American JJ became the major danger and went all out after Bourbon
Express. Bourbon Express was just too
strong in deep stretch and won in 1:54.2.
American JJ gave it a gallant effort but had to settle for second. Purpose Blue Chip (Dan Daley) was third.
Bourbon Express is a
4-year-old gelding by RC Royalty. Owned
by Sal Vullo, James DeArmond, as well as trainer Jessica Okusko. It was his second win of the season and 10th
career victory.
Palomar ($6.60) gets
impressive win in the $7,000 Open Pace.
Rollinlikethunder (Truman
Gale) took the lead and led to the first quarter in :27.4. Palomar took over going around the first
turn. He got immediate pressure from
JM’s Delight (Greg Merton) as they raced for the half. Palomar hit the half first in :56.3. He
remained in control leading to three-quarters in 1:24.4.
As they headed for home
Palomar had another gear and won going away in 1:51.1. Rollinlikethunder was second best with Star
Commander N picking up third money.
Palomar is a 6-year-old
gelding by Western Ideal. Owned by Seth
Rosenberg Racing and trained by Justin Sodano.
It was his first win of 2021. He
now has 17 career victories.
A good day for the
Huckabone family. Justin drove three
winners on the card. Brother Claude III
drove a winner and trained two winners with his son Dylan Huckabone Miller
driving two horses to the winner’s circle.
Vernon Downs returns to
live racing on Friday (May 21) with a post time of 6:10 p.m.
For more information go
to www.vernondowns.com
