Vernon, NY — Sgt Papa Daddy (John MacDonald) captured the $6,000 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 22).

Sgt Papa Daddy took down the feature at Vernon Downs on Saturday night. Fotowon Photo.

Sgt Papa Daddy ($4.20) charged out of the gate and led to the first quarter of :27.4.  Bay Rum (Howard Parker) came first-up and took the lead before hitting the halfway mark in :56.0.  He passed three-quarters in 1:24.1, holding on to a length and a half lead.

Sgt Papa Daddy, who is owned by the JP Stables and trained by MacDonald, moved to the outside at the top of the stretch.  He would battle back and forth with Bay Rum down the stretch.  Sgt Papa Daddy was too strong in deep stretch to win in 1:52.2.  Skip Jive (Jimmy Whittemore) came flying late to finish second.  Electrofire (Jennifer Lappe) took third.

Sgt Papa Daddy is a 5-year-old gelding by Rockin Image.  It was win number six in 2019, he went to the winner’s circle for the 26th time in his career.

John MacDonald, Howard Parker, and Roman Lopez each drove three winners on the night.  MacDonald got his other wins with Deaks Sweetie Pie ($4.20), and Northern Express ($2.90).  Parker won with Ameriore ($5.20), Chatelroll ($3.20), and Golden Brit ($4.40).  Lopez finished first with Quiet Heiress ($12.40), White Mountain Top ($13.00), and Samson J ($4.40).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (June 28) with a post time of 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.