by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media

Vernon, NY —Paul Kelley trainee Obrigado looks to defend his title in Friday (August 26)evening’s $193,000 Crawford Farms Open Trot at Vernon Downs, but he’ll onceagain have to contend with the likes of Resolve, Homicide Hunter, and FlanaganMemory after squaring off against them throughout the season.

Obrigado (7-2morning line second choice, post seven) has won four of 11 races this year,including the Maxie Lee Memorial at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the Charlie HillMemorial at Scioto Downs, and the Cleveland Classic at Northfield. While doinghis best work on small tracks this season, his most impressive performance maywell have come over two turns in the Cashman Memorial at the Meadowlandsearlier in the month, where he escaped traffic on the far turn and stormed homein :26.4 in pursuit of Resolve. Regulardriver Mark MacDonald will once again pilot the 6-year-old Boy Band gelding forthe partnership of the Paul Kelley Racing Stable, the SRF Stable, LinwoodHiggins, and Stable 45.

Elitloppetrunner-up and Cashman winner Resolve (5-2, post six) looks to lead the chargeto upend the defending champion in the night’s tenth event, having alsowon the Arthur Cutler Memorial this season. Åke Svanstedt trains and drives the5-year-old Muscle Hill entire. Flanagan Memory (9-2, post eight) also entersfrom the Cashman, finishing a gathered-in third after seizing command through abold middle move. The 6-year-old Kadabra entire earned all four of his seasonalwins in Preferred company at Mohawk. Brian Sears will take over the lines fortrainer Rene Dion.

While Obrigado,Resolve, and Flanagan Memory have faced each other on multiple occasions thisyear, a new shooter is quickly gathering momentum. Homicide Hunter (6-1, post two)–representingCrawford Farms Racing–enters off a decisive 1:50.1 victory in last week’sSebastian K Invitational at Pocono, brushing to the fore with a circuit to goand edging away to a four length score. David Miller handles the driving dutiesof the 4-year-old Mr Cantab gelding for trainer Chris Oakes.

In the $170,000Muscle Hill for distaff trotters (race 9), 21-time winner HanneloreHanover (5-2, post 7) looks to maintain her dominance after winning 12 of her13 assignments this year. The 4-year-old daughter of Swan For All proved adecisive and handy winner in her Miss Versatility preliminary at Tioga onAugust 14, completing the mile in 1:52.4 over off going yet with much inreserve. Yannick Gingras will remain aboard the Ron Burke trainee, who alsocaptured the Miami Valley Distaff and the Armbro Flight, as well as the FreshYankee and Hambletonian Maturity over the 1-1/8-mile distance.

Among those aimingto hand Hannelore Hanover her second defeat of the year are Jewels in Hock(7-2, post two, John Campbell), 2015 Empire Breeders Classic winner Barn Doll(9-2, post six, Jeff Gregory), and double millionaire Shake It Cerry (6-1, postfive, David Miller).

A pair of New YorkSire Stakes events for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings headline theundercard, with the undefeated Serious Major and Funknwaffles due to square offin the $55,500 eighth event.

Horsemen are remindedthat entrants for the Crawford Farms and Muscle Hill events will race out ofthe detention barn, and they are due to arrive no later than 8 p.m. Thursday(August 25). Horsemen in need of hotel rooms for the weekend are advised tocontact the race office at 315.829.6825.