Whispur scores on Friday at Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The streaking trotter Whispur became the sixth four-time winning equine of the season at Vernon Downs following a 1:57 triumph in Friday night’s $4,500 sixth event.

With Claude Huckabone, III handling the lines for trainer/owner Tracy Brainard, the favorite Whispur ($3.50) advanced from fifth at the quarter and seized the lead before the half, timed in :59.1. The gritty gelding stayed in charge throughout the final four furlongs and won by more than two lengths.

It was the third tally in succession, fourth in the last five starts here, and seventh all-time for the 6-year-old son of Pegasus Spur-Ba Terrific Lindy, who increased his total prize money to $23,974.

Leading driver Rick Plano posted his meet-leading 11th driving double during Friday’s 10-race program, including a 1:59.1 score with his wife’s (Maryann) trotter Damian Carlos N in Friday’s $5,100 seventh session.

Driver Brian Connor also collected a pair of victories during the track’s 39th program.

— Jim Moran

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Mymomsablizzard continued her dominance of the Open Trot at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Friday night. The 6-year-old trotting mare won the local feature for the fifth consecutive time. Leading driver Billy Dobson piloted Mymomsablizzard (CR Excalibur) as she left quickly to overcome her assigned outside post. The race’s 7-5 favorite cleared the lead after being parked to the quarter in :28.1 and never had an anxious moment on the engine. The victory was the fifth straight in the $18,500 Spa Friday feature and the ninth overall this year for the Allan Johnson trained mare. Quick Deal (Wally Hennessey) motored home for second while Cassis was third in the 1:55.1 Open. While Dobson won the evening’s feature, reinsman Wally Hennessey dominated the Friday action as the Hall of Famer piled up six wins on the card.