Vernon, NY — Alex The Great (John MacDonald) won the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (June 21).

Alex The Great (John MacDonald) won the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs. Fotowon photo.

Alex The Great ($5.40) jumped out of the gate and went to the lead with American JJ (Michael Miller) following in the pocket as they hit the first quarter in :28. Alex The Great controlled the race to the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:26.

Alex The Great, who is owned by Glenn Schnackenberg and Kellie Dickie while trained by Timothy Dickie, continued to lead as they reached the stretch. American JJ got out of the pocket and gave chase but Alex The Great was too strong to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.1. American JJ settled for second best. First Call (Homer Hochstetler) was third.

Alex The Great is a 4-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass. He won for the third time this season and it was career victory number nine.

John MacDonald, Jimmy Whittemore, and Claude Huckabone Jr. each had driving doubles on the night.

MacDonald got his other win with Cash Crazy Express ($2.70). Whittemore won with Princess Gazela ($3.30) and Love Live Laugh ($6.80). Huckabone teamed up with trainer Jeff Sorenson to win with Story Time Hanover ($12.00) and Heart Crusher ($9.00).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 22) with a 13-race card that starts at 6:10 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.