Leading Vernon drivers extend margins

Leading drivers Leon Bailey (first) and Justin Huckabone (second) each drove four winners on Friday (August 13).

Bailey got the $5,000 co-featured trot with Havana Ooh Nana ($6.40).

Havana Ooh Nana took the lead and led to the first quarter in :27.2.  She slowed things down with a :32.2 second quarter to lead to the half in :59.4.  As they headed for the far turn Bold Fresh (Jimmy Whittemore) came first-over and challenged Havana Ooh Nana all around the final turn.  Havana Ooh Nana got to three-quarters first in 1:29.4.

As they made the turn for home Havana Ooh Nana dropped Bold Fresh and had to brace for second place finisher, Give Angel Credit (Joe Nassimos).  Havana Ooh Nana dug in and held on to win in 1:58.2.  Sanchez Rocks (Justin Huckabone) was third.

HAVANA OOH NANA REPLAY

Havana Ooh Nana is a 4-year-old mare by Guccio.  She is owned by Jeff Hayes and trained by Misty Carey (trained two winners on the card).  It was her third win of the season and sixth career victory.

Justin Huckabone wins the $5,000 co-featured fillies and mares pace with Sheer Talent ($6.30).

Sheer Talent went to the front and led to the first quarter in :26.3.  Dream On A Roll (Claude Huckabone) challenged her all down the backstretch.  Sheer Talent led to the half in :56.3.  She still battled Dream On A Roll around the final turn.  Sheer Talent led to three-quarters in 1:23.2.

Sheer Talent shook loose in the stretch.  Kitty Hoyne (Jimmy Whittemore) went all out on the chase.  Sheer Talent was too strong and won in 1:53.2.  Kitty Hoyne finished second.  Jackie’s Express (Leon Bailey) was third best.

SHEER TALENT REPLAY

Sheer Talent is a 7-year-old mare by Badlands Hanover.  She is owned by Bill Reepmeyer and trained by Bruce Lauer.  It was win number seven in 2021.  She now has 29 career wins.

Bailey got his other wins with Tempster Hanover ($2,50), Major Steel ($23.60), and Jenny Lake ($2.70).  Huckabone got his other victories with Bob N Tony ($10.40), Bet Big On Blue ($2.40), and Shes Sporty A ($12.00).  Frank Affrunti drove three winners on the card and George Ducharme trained two winners.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (August 14) with a 12-race card featuring two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  Post time is 6:10 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs