by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Oh My Joepa won the featured $7,500 pace on Tuesday night (July 4) at Vernon Downs.

Fotowon photo

Oh My Joepa was a 1:52 winner in the Vernon Downs feature.

Before the feature started the big favorite Golden Gun (Justin Huckabone) went off stride. Oh My Joepa (John MacDonald) would take full advantage and charge out to the lead. The 9-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover would put up all the fractions of :27.4, :57, 1:24.1, and 1:52. Rock N Row (Truman Gale), who was the longest shot in the field, followed the winner for the entire race.

Oh My Joepa ($10.80), who is also owned trained by MacDonald, would win for the eighth time this season and the 39th time in 180 starts. Rock N Row would make a late charge but finish second by a length. Modern Gesture (Jimmy Whittemore) would finish third.

MacDonald would also capture the nightcap steering Cam’s Lucky Sam (Camluck) to a win in 1:51. Life Up Front (Chris Lems) would finish second with Skip Jive (Jimmy Whittemore) finishing third. Cam’s Lucky Sam would pay $4.90 for the victory.

Jimmy Whittemore and Josh Kinney had driving doubles as well. Whittemore won with Apollo Seelster ($6.10) and Captain Dragon ($32.00). Kinney went to the winner’s circle with Samson J ($4.80) and Allamerican Improv ($8.60).

Vernon Downs returns to live action on Thursday with a nine-race card starting at 6:45 p.m.

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