by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media

Vernon, NY — A pair of $6,500 upper-level conditioned events — one for trotters, one for pacers — headlined the Memorial Day (May 25) program at Vernon Downs, with Jersey Boy ($4.40) and UF Bettors Hanover ($16.40) proving best on their respective gaits.

The Turn N Burn Stable’s Jersey Boy made an early push to the lead in the trotting feature, but was rebuffed by McKenzie’s Star (Fern Paquet Jr.) through a :27.3 first quarter. The two battled side-by-side for the majority of the race, until Jersey Boy pushed clear in the final eighth, drawing off by three lengths for a 1:54.4 triumph. My Buddy Hall Lee (Roman Lopez) stayed on from the pocket to take third.

Josh Kinney drove the 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding for trainer Jessica Okusko.

UF Bettors Hanover ($16.40) sprung a mild upset in the afternoon’s pacing feature, swinging three-wide off dueling leaders A Fool For Mark (Dustin Ingraham) and Lilys Real Boy (Fern Paquet Jr.) en route to a 1-1/4 length win. The 5-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding sprinted clear of the late-closing Relentless Dreamer (Brian Connor) for a 1:51.4 victory in rein to Justin Huckabone.

Trainer Scott West co-owns UF Bettors Hanover with Katie Currie.

Live racing returns at Vernon on Friday (May 29) evening, with first post scheduled for 6:45 p.m.