Vernon, NY – Only Passing Thru (Jimmy Whittemore) was awarded first place due to a disqualification by Taco Tuesday (Leon Bailey) during the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on opening night, Friday (April 19).  It rained throughout the card but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the big opening day crowd.

Warrawee Preferred (Jim Taggert Jr) charged to the front and put up all the opening fractions (:27.4, :59, 1:28.3).  Taco Tuesday popped out of the pocket and took over the lead at the top of the stretch.  Only Passing Thru ($3.90) made a three-wide move to challenge Taco Tuesday for the lead.  Taco Tuesday crossed the finish line first but drifted wide and was placed second for interference.  Warawee Preferred hung on to finish third.

Only Passing Thru is a 5-year-old horse by Muscle Hill.  Owned by Diane Whittemore and trained by Marissa Chadbourne, he won for the third time in 10 starts this season and now has 14 career victories.

Jimmy Whittemore and Marrisa Chadbourne combined for three winners on the night.  Their other wins came with Blameitonthenight ($2.30) and Bold Fresh ($21.20).

Mr Lucky Star took the first division of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series Friday at Vernon Downs. Photo by Fotowon.

Mr Lucky Star (Roman Lopez) came flying late to overtake the big favorite Barn Beast (Claude Huckabone Jr.) to win the first division of the $4,000 Robert E. Keller Trotting Series in 1:56.1.  Mark C Adams (Truman Gale) was third best.

Mr Lucky Star ($6.90) is a 4-year-old gelding by Mr Cantab who is trained by Lopez for owners Joan Ellafrits and Lynn Wilson.  It was his first win in two lifetime starts.

Irish Kate (Claude Huckabone III) went gate-to-wire to win the second division of The Robert E. Keller Trotting Series in 2:02.2.  Massive Impressive (Rick Harp) made a late charge but fell short to settle for second.  Little Dave (Angus MacDonald) finished third.

Irish Kate ($3.60) is a 4-year-old mare by Conway Hall.  Owned by Donald Cosgrove and trained by Angus MacDonald, she won for the first time this season and now owns five career victories.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (April 20) with an 11-race card starting at 6:10 pm.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.