Patio Pete snakes way to victory at Vernon
September 28, 2007,by Jim Moran for Vernon Downs
VERNON, NY – Newcomer Patio Pete did everything but shed his skin as he snaked his way to victory in Friday night’s (Sept. 28) $10,000 featured Open Handicap trot at Vernon Downs.
Competing over a track labeled good due to persistent afternoon rain showers, Patio Pete found himself in sixth position at the three-quarter mark in Friday’s ninth race. Driver Bill Bailey then urged the 10-year-old gelding up to fourth entering the homestretch, where they split a pair of contenders in the middle of the lane, then dipped to the inside and surged through the pylon path to defeat the front-striding Eddy Kash by 1-3/4 lengths.
The 1:58.2 clocking enabled Patio Pete to earn his fifth season’s score and increase his current winnings to more than $51,200 after 26 starts. Jamie Sullivan trains the career winner of $499,443 for the Summersby Stable.
The win enabled Bailey to record his third driving triple at the Downs in 2007. He also posted first-place finishes with the trotters Butterscotch Swirl, in 1:59 for trainer Dave Dewhurst and owners Regina Dewhurst and Dominick Schillace, and Nowerland Lightnin, in 1:58.4 for trainer Ann Yurenka and owner Pauline Nower.
Butterscotch Swirl’s impressive showing resulted in his third straight victory and enabled him to move into a deadlock with fellow trotters Ginger Girl, Valley Crown, and the pacers Whopper, Yankee Arnie and Miss Robin’s Magic for the meet’s longest winning streaks.
Celebrity J Lo tied for fastest mile of the evening honors when she front-ended her way to a solid 1:58.2 tally in Friday’s $6,500 10th race. Jeff Tallarino did the steering for trainer Roman Lopez and his ownership partner, James Switlyk, as the 4-year-old mare deadlocked at six with Tallamore (who finished second in the contest) for most victories by a diagonally gaited performer at the 68-night-old meet.
Current dash-winning leader Howard Okusko, Jr. and Claude Huckabone, Jr. each posted two driving victories during Friday’s 11-race card.
DOWNS DOINGS – The pacer Hobby Art Benka’s eight victories is tops at the Downs thus far this season…Okusko’s second multiple win performance of the week increased his race-winning lead to 82-71 over runner-up Josh Marks…Dewhurst moved to within one victory of Lonny Hale’s leading total of 36 training tallies following Butterscotch Swirl’s score in the sixth session.