Jenny Lake hangs tough at Vernon

Jenny Lake (Steeven Genois) hung on to win the featured $6,000 Open 2 harness racing trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (September 10).

Jenny Lake ($6.50) went to the front and was followed by Gettin Serious (Roman Lopez). Jenny Lake led to the first quarter in :28.2. She used a :29.0 second quarter to lead to the half in :57.2. American JJ (Michael Miller) was the first to make a move going first-over around the far turn but he just sputtered as Jenny Lake led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.

As they made the turn for home Gettin Serious popped the pocket and came after Jenny Lake. Jenny Lake started to tire in deep stretch but held on to nip the second-place finisher, Getting Serious in 1:54.4. Saylor (Claude Huckabone III) came up to finish third.

Jenny Lake is a 5-year-old mare by RC Royalty. She is trained by Paul Minckler for owners Carol Namiotka and Ed Namiotka Jr. It was her sixth win this season. She now owns 23 career victories.

JENNY LAKE REPLAY

Jimmy Wittemore drove three winners on the card as Leon Bailey and Steeven Genois drove two winners. Paul Minckler and Marissa Chadbourne each had training doubles.

Leon Bailey leads all drivers with 99 wins. Justin Huckabone is second on the list with 58 victories. Jimmy Whittemore is third with 34 trips to the winner’s circle. Chris Long (31) and John MacDonald (21) rounds out the top five.

Jeff Sorenson leads all trainers with 27 wins. Jessica Okusko has 21 victories. Bruce Lauer, George Ducharme, and Justin Huckabone are tied for third with 17 wins.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (September 11). They will play host to the eight Excelsior A Finals (all racing for a purse of $50,000 each. Fireworks will follow live racing.

Post time for the 12-race card is 6:10 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs