Curtain closes on 2022 Vernon Downs meet

Sgt Papa Daddy (Rockin Image) and driver John MacDonald and Makadushin N Cheez (Conway Hall) and driver Leon Bailey captured the co-features on closing night of the 2022 harness racing season at Vernon Downs on Saturday (November 19).

Sgt Papa Daddy ($2.90) cruises to an easy win in the $8,700 featured pace.

Sgt Papa Daddy shot right to the front and led to the quarter in :27.1.  He used a :28.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.3.  Northern Rein (Brandon Parker) was parked out all the way to three quarters but continued to pester Sgt Papa Daddy, who was first to three-quarters in 1:24.0.

As they made the turn for home Sgt Papa Daddy started to get away.  Second place finisher, Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) went all but could just watch as Sgt Papa Daddy won easily in 1:51.4.  Let’s Foal Around (Frank Affrunti) finished third.

SGT PAPA DADDY REPLAY

Sgt Papa Daddy is an 8-year-old gelding owned by MacDonald and trained by Kimberly Hines.  It was his seventh win this season and the 43^rd of his career.

Makadushin N Cheez ($3.80) hangs on to take the $8,700 featured trot.

Makadushin N Cheez charged straight to the front and was first to the quarter in :28.4.  He was first to the half in :57.3 and led to three-quarters in 1:26.2.

As they made the turn for home the race was on.  Zappa (John MacDonald) came first-up to challenge as Star Track Hanover (Frank Affrunti) slipped through the inside.  The three of them all battled all the way down the stretch.  Makadushin N Cheez dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:55.2.  Star Track Hanover was second best.  Zappa finished third.

Makadushin N Cheez is a 3-year-old gelding owned by Joe D’Agostino. Molly D’Agostino, Peter Kadushin, and trainer David Dewhurst.  It was his 11^th win of 2022 and 18^th career victory.

MAKADUSHIN N CHEEZ REPLAY

John MacDonald ended 2022 with a driving grand slam while David Dewhust had a training grand slam.  Leon Bailey had a driving hat-trick.

Frank Affrunti wins the Vernon Downs/Winning Wheels Driver of the Year.  He reached the winner’s circle 66 times this season.  Steeven Genois finished second with 62 wins.  Leon Bailey (50), Barton Dalious (46), and John MacDonald (40) round out the top five.

Kerin Warner wins the Vernon Downs/Black Stallion trainer of the year.  Warner topped the charts with 54 wins.  Misty Carey was second best with 30 tallies.  Jeff Sorenson finished third with 28 wins.  Jessica Okusko (26), and David Dewhurst (26) tied for fourth.

Joxter (Chapter Seven) wins trotter of the meet.  The 4-year-old gelding had seven wins, two seconds, and two thirds in 11 starts at Vernon.  He won $36,899 in total purses.  He is owned by Ann-Mari Daley and trained by Dan Daley.

Northern Rein (American Ideal) wins pacer of the meet.  The 7-year-old gelding had five wins, five seconds, and four thirds this season at Vernon while earning nearly $37.000 this meet.  He is owned by New York Standardbreds LTD and trained by Kerin Warner.

Vernon Downs would like to thank our great horse people and fans on a great season.  We will see you in April 2023.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs