Vernon, NY – First Call (Homer Hochstetler) was the winner of the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (Sept. 7).

First Call (#5) won the featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday night. Photo by Fotowon.

American JJ (Michael Miller) went to the front and led to the first quarter in :27.2 and the half in :57.3.  First Call ($5.30) came first over just before the half.  She battled American JJ shoulder-to-shoulder all the way around the final turn.  First Call led by a head as they hit three-quarters in 1:26.2.

First Call, who is trained by Homer Hochstetler for owners Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig and Allen Schwartz, continued to battle as they made the turn for home.  Only Passing Thru (Jimmy Whittemore) found an opening on the inside as Winning Princess (Jennifer Lappe) came flying late on the outside.  First Call gutted it out and got the win by a head in 1:55.  Only Passing Thru finished second, Winning Princess got third money and early pacesetter American JJ faded to last in the five-horse field.

First Call is a 4-year-old mare by Credit Winner.  It was her sixth win this season and 14th of her career.

Hochstetler, Claude Huckabone Jr. and Howard Parker each drove two winners on the night.  Hochstetler got his other win with Bluffton ($6.50).  Huckabone Jr. won with All Heart I Am ($3.50) and Ideal Delight ($17.60).  Parker had victories with The Fixer ($2.80) and Expo ($11.80).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Sept. 7) with a 13-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.