Vernon, NY – Only Passing Thru (Jimmy Whittemore) captured the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (June 14).

In the feature, Taco Tuesday (John MacDonald) led for the first three-quarters through fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.3.

Only Passing Thru (#2) and Jimmy Whittemore finished a half-length ahead of pacesetter Taco Tuesday (#7) in featured trot Friday night at Vernon Downs. Fotowon Photo.

Only Passing Thru ($7.20), who is owned by Diane Whittemore and trained by Marissa Chadbourne, was four lengths back in third after three-quarters.  Only Passing Thru and Taco Tuesday slugged it out all the way down the stretch.  Taco Tuesday dug in but Only Passing Thru had enough to go by to win by a half-length in 1:54.4.  Taco Tuesday had to settle for second best while First Call (Homer Hochstetler) was third.

Only Passing Thru is a 5-year-old horse by Muscle Hill.  It was his sixth win this season and his 17th of his career, which increased his lifetime earnings to $142,985.

John MacDonald, Jimmy Whittemore, and Jennifer Lappe all had driving doubles.  MacDonald, who leads all drivers with 38 wins on the season got his victories with Come Get The Cash ($4.20) and Alex The Great ($4.60).   Whittemore is the second leading driver with 25 tallies.  He teamed up with leading trainer Marissa Chadbourne (14) for the first of their two wins on the night with Love Live Laugh ($5.40).  Jennifer Lappe was trainer and driver for her two wins with Fox Valley Steffen ($5.40) and Sailer Eddie ($13.20).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 15) with a nine-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.