Nailbiting feature begins Vernon season

Discus Hanover (Credit Winner, John MacDonald) hung on to capture the featured $7,500 harness racing trot by a nose at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 15).

Discus Hanover ($4.40) went straight to the front and led to a first quarter in :27.4 with Lepanto (Barton Dalious) following in the pocket.  Discus Hanover used a :30.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.1.  He cruised to three-quarters in 1:27.2.

As they reached the stretch the race was on.  Lepanto popped out of the pocket and came after the leader.  Discus Hanover dug in and Lepanto just kept coming and gave one late surge but had to settle for second best losing by a nostril.  Discus Hanover won in 1:55.3.  Halliama (Steeven Genois) finished third best.

Discus Hanover is a 6-year-old gelding.  He is owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst.  He is one for one in 2023.  He now owns 33 career victories.

Frank Affrunti drove three winners on the card.  John MacDonald and Dylan Huckabone-Miller each had driving doubles.  Jack McNeil, Claude Huckabone III, and Chip Zombick all recorded training doubles.

A crowd of over 1700 started the 70^th Anniversary season with a bang.  We want to thank the fans for making it a special day, all the employees for their hard work and all the horse people for putting on a fantastic show.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 22) with a 6:05 pm post time.

For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs