Vernon, NY – Discus Hanover and Leon Bailey captured the $8,500 Open Trot at Vernon Downs on the 2021 closing night Saturday (Nov. 6).

Discus Hanover and Leon Bailey captured the $8,500 Open Trot on closing night at Vernon Downs. Fotowon Photos.

Discus Hanover ($3.50) charged right out to the front as big rival Credit List (Justin Huckabone) sat in the pocket.   Discus Hanover was first to the quarter in :27.  He used a :30.2 second quarter breather to hit the half first in :57.2.  Purpose Blue Chip (Joe Nassimos) was first to make a move going around the final turn but Discus Hanover maintained the lead hitting three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Credit list made his move in the stretch and slipped through on the inside and the battle was on.   Discus Hanover started to drift in deep stretch as Credit List kept coming.  Discus Hanover had enough to get to the finish line first and won by a quarter length in 1:55.3.  Credit List had to settle for second with Spoiler Alert (Brett Crawford) picking up third money.

Discus Hanover is a 4-year-old gelding by Credit Winner.  He was honored on the night as the Trotter of the Year at Vernon Downs.  He is owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst.

He won 12 times in 20 starts at Vernon this season.  He now has 28 career victories.

Bailey is the 2021 leading driver with 127 wins.  Huckabone is second on the list with 92 victories. Jimmy Whittemore was third with 54 trips to the winner’s circle.   Chris Long (44) and Truman Gale (25) rounded out the top five.

Vernon Downs leading driver got engaged to Amanda Facin in the winner’s circle Saturday night. Fotowon Photos.

Bailey went to one knee in the winner’s circle and became engaged to Amanda Facin.  Congratulations to them both.

Jeff Sorenson is the 2021 top trainer with 38 wins. Justin Huckabone finished second with 34 victories.  Kerin Warner was third best with 32 wins.  Jessica (26) and Marissa Chadbourne (23) round out the top five.

The Pacer of the Year is Chatelroll.  The 5-year-old gelding by Roll with Joe is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by George Ducharme.  He notched nine wins in 12 starts at the Miracle Mile and was driven most of the time by Vernon newcomer Frank Affrunti.

Vernon Downs says good-bye to Dreamlands Art and Nubble Light who have been retired.

Dreamlands Art is a 14-year-old gelding by Artsplace.  He won in his final start at Vernon Saturday night in the first race.  He is owned by Pat Laiso and Jennifer Lappe.  He has 36 wins in 328 lifetime starts.  He won 770,889 in career purses.

Nubble Light is a 10-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover.  He finished his career with 18 wins in 184 starts.  He is the original member of the Go Where The Money is Stable (Chris Daley) and is trained by Claude Huckabone III.  He will become a riding horse in retirement.

The staff at Vernon Downs want to thank all the horse people and fans for a great season!  We will see you April 2022.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.