Vivid Photo’s first start of 2007 is a winning effort

by John Zimich, publicity director, Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Vivid Photo, a world-class trotter and winner of the 2005 Hambletonian, made his first start of the 2007 season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Monday, April 2, and it was a winning effort in a $20,000 Open Handicap Trot race.

Roger Hammer, owner-trainer-driver of Vivid Photo, was in the sulky when his 5-year-old gelding trotter stopped the timer in 1:55 over a fast track, with sunny skies and a temperature in the mid-50s.

It was a victory from the eight post in the eight horse field.

There had been some concern by Hammer and Todd Schadel, co-owner of Vivid Photo, coming into the race at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

It was only last Thursday (March 29) that Vivid Photo was at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center getting a radium scan and x-rays in order to determine what was causing some hot spots on the trotter’s left front foot.

“They really couldn’t find anything serious,” said Hammer. “We put the shoe back last Friday and he jogged pretty soundly. We’re thinking it may have been a nail pinching the foot. No one knows for sure.

“We decided to race him at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and give him a tightener. He certainly got that today with an opening quarter of :27 seconds and a third quarter of :27.4 when they started to make a move on him. Hopefully, he’ll come out of this race ready for the first leg of the Classic Series at Dover Downs in two weeks.”

Vivid Photo was pressured early on by Rickie (George Napolitano, Jr.) before Hammer got his trotter to the front with the timer reading :27. Vivid Photo took the field to the half in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.3. JM Vangogh (Joe Pavia, Jr.) was second in the race while third was Rickie.

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