Dreamanotherdream wins again at Vernon

Vernon, NY — Dreamanotherdream became a reality for the fifth time this year at Vernon Downs, winning out over newcomer Petty Hanover and Mr Avalanche in a tight eighth race photo finish on the final Wednesday program of the track’s 59th season.

Fotowon photo

Dreamanotherdream was a narrow winner on Wednesday.

After Mr Avalanche led the seven-trotter field into the homestretch, Dreamanotherdream pounced on the leader and took charge, while at the same time Petty Hanover hustled up from third in a closing rush. In the three-horse blanket photo that ensued, Dreamanotherdream prevailed in 1:56.2.

Brian Connor did the teaming for trainer Edgar Clarke and owner Dennis Goyette as the 6-year-old son of Dream Vacation-Another Choice earned his 21th all-time victory and raised his career winnings to more than $109,500.

Wednesday’s fastest mile was a 1:53.1 career-best performance by the 5-year-old pacer Excellence In Arts during the eighth event with Jimmy Whittemore steering for trainer/part-owner Ron Miller and his partner, Leo Lashomb.

Defending champ Whittemore won two of Wednesday’s 10 races, as did driver Fern Paquet, Jr.

— Jim Moran

Batavia Downs
It was a strange finish to say the least, but The Mistress managed to just hang on over You’re Too Funny in a photo finish in Wednesday night’s $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs. The Mistress and driver Dan Noble seemed to have the race well in hand down the lane. But when The Mistress needed a few taps of the whip as a reminder in deep stretch, Noble was helpless. His whip got caught in a piece of The Mistresss’ equipment and Noble wasn’t able to free it until just before the wire. You’re Too Funny and driver Jack Flanigen were flying on the outside and nearly took advantage of the oddity but just came up a nose short. Evil Eva (Shawn Gray) finished in third. The Mistress ($5.30), who took the lead just before the quarter pole, used fractions of :28.2, :58.4, and 1:27.3 in going the mile in 1:56. It was the eighth win of the season for The Mistress, owned by Super Mile LLC and trained by John Mungillo. The Mistress has now won five of her last eight races and has earnings of $56,942 in 2012. John Cummings, Jr. had a driving grandslam on the night.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Jim Devaux came out strong on Wednesday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Devaux, who is currently in fourth in the driver standings this year, piloted winners in the evening’s first three races. Freshman trotter Imwideawake (Turbonator) broke his maiden in 2:02.2, coming second over en route to his first win in seven lifetime tries. Devaux went on to sweep the early double, again putting a lifetime mark on a horse as pacer Lucky Jove (Village Jove) powered past his rivals at the half before drawing away late for a 1:56.2 career best score. The 45-year-old racing veteran then completed his hat trick with Best Escape Route (Artiscape), whom he drove to a victory for the second consecutive week. Best Escape Route also had a career best effort, prevailing after a pocket trip in 1:58.4.