J A T O three-peats in Vernon feature

Vernon, N.Y. -- Margaret and Amy Butler's J A T O ($3.80) seized control of the terms early and never looked back on his way to a third consecutive victory in Friday (September 23) evening's featured $10,500 Miracle Mile/Open Handicap Trot at Vernon Downs.

Chris Lems put the 4-year-old Conway Hall gelding in play from the outset, pushing clear of My Lucky Word (Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Gimme the Cash (Claude Huckabone, III) through a :28.3 first quarter before easing the tempo on the backstretch. With five-sixteenths of the mile to go, 22-1 longshot Oh No Three O (Jeff Long) mounted a first-over challenge, working to within a length of J A T O at the completion of a :58.4 middle half but leveling off at head-stretch. J A T O maintained control comfortably while hand-driven through the straight, keeping Oh No Three O a length at bay for a 1:55.2 score. Prairie Fortune (Mike Deters) showed mild staying power off second-over cover to save third on debut from Tioga.

Howard Okusko trains J A T O, who remains undefeated at Vernon Downs by way of his 31st career triumph.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (September 24) evening, with the first of 13 races due off at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

TESSA SEELSTER WINS FRIDAY 45G DISTAFF DERBY

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Friday, September 23, 2016—Tessa Seelster (George Brennan, $7.70) again proved best Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

In play from her ‘inside’ post position No. 5 (posts 5 thru 8 were drawn), Tessa Seelster easily worked around pole-sitting, slight 2-1 favorite Devil Child (Eric Goodell). After a :27.3 opening quarter-mile, a :29.1 second substation (:56.4 intermission) served her well.

Secret’s Out N (Tyler Buter) took out of fourth and was originally pacing in place. She did eventually make steady advances in and out of a 1:24.1 three-quarters, though the leader maintained a length-and-a-quarter advantage entering the lane.

‘Tessa’ found the wire a half-length before Devil Child in 1:51.3. Secret’s Out N held third, with Rock N Roll Xample (Dan Dube) and Tipitina (Brent Holland) settling for the minors.

For third choice Tessa Seelster, a 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jonathan Newman, it was her ninth win in 19 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $24.80, with the triple returning $121.

Saturday’s card is enveloped by the 27^th New York Night of Champions, the $1.8 million culmination of the sire stakes season. The Empire State’s richest night of racing features eight, $225,000 NYSS, for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

They go as the first eight races during the 13-race card, with first post the usual 7:10 PM.      

K J's Caroline invades, tops distaffers; MacDonald wins five

Vernon, N.Y. -- Scott Woogen's K J's Caroline ($6.00) parried all comers in Thursday (September 22) night's $11,000 Mares Miracle Mile/Open Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs, and leading driver John MacDonald tallied another five wins on the evening's 10-race program.

K J's Caroline, debuting for trainer Paul Long on arrival from Tioga Downs, made her move to the fore on the clubhouse turn after settling close to a spritely early pace. Roman Lopez brushed the 6-year-old Roddy's Bags Again mare to the fore to clear Bettorhaveanother (Chris Lems) upon reaching the back of the course, subsequently bracing for heavy pressure from the first-over Yes You Can (Ben McNeil) on the far turn. After enduring a :27.2 third quarter, K J's Caroline edged away, driven out to fend off a late charge from Bettorhaveanother--who found clearance to vacate the pegs in the final eighth--by half a length in 1:51.2. Southern Girl (Fern Paquet, Jr.) mounted a belated rally to take third.

While a Vernon newcomer took top equine honors for the evening, the "Prime Minister" continued his reign at Vernon Downs with a five-win night. MacDonald paired up with The Filly Princess ($5.80, 1:52.2), I Saw Red ($5.40, 1:53.4), Cheyenne Patti ($9.00, 1:55), E R Rhonda ($3.70, 1:54.2), and Tempus Seelster ($3.50, 1:51.2).

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (September 23) evening; post time is slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.