Vernon, NY — Discus Hanover (John MacDonald) hung on to capture the featured $7,500 trot by a nose at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 15).

Driver John MacDonald sent Discus Hanover straight to the front to lead the first quarter in :27.4 with Lepanto (Barton Dalious) following in the pocket. Discus Hanover used a :30.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.1 before cruising to three-quarters in 1:27.2. As they reached the stretch, Lepanto popped out of the pocket and came after the leader. Discus Hanover dug in to hold off a late surge from Lepanto by a nose in 1:55.3. Halliama (Steeven Genois) finished third best.

Discus Hanover (foreground) dug deep to seal victory in the Opening Night feature at Vernon Downs. Fotowon photo.

Discus Hanover is a 6-year-old gelding by Credit Winner owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst. The 33-time winner paid $4.40 to win.

Frank Affrunti drove three winners on the card while John MacDonald and Dylan Huckabone-Miller each had driving doubles. Jack McNeil, Claude Huckabone III and Chip Zombick all recorded training doubles.

A crowd of over 1,700 started the 70th Anniversary season with a bang. Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 22) with a 6:05 p.m. post time.

For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.