Driving grand slam for Long

Chris Long had a harness racing driving grand slam and swept the $7,500 co-features at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 9).

Long takes the featured trot with Emotions Riches ($3.70).

Century Invader (Leon Bailey) took the early lead but Emotions Riches forged to the front just before hitting the quarter first in :29.3.  He slowed things down with a :30.3 second quarter and led the half in 1:00.2.  He glided to three-quarters in 1:28.4.

Second place finisher Century Invader popped the pocket and went all out after Emotions Riches.  Emotions Riches found another gear and cruised home in 1:57.1.  Grand Slam Hero (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) finished third.

Emotions Riches is a 7-year-old gelding by Wheeling N Dealin.  He is owned by Richard Cortese and trainer Robyn Mangiardi.  It was his third win this season.  He now has 23 career victories.

EMOTIONS RICHES REPLAY

Long captures the featured pace with Prospectors Gold ($6.10).

Prospectors Gold (Huntsville) went straight to the front in :27.1.  He breezed to the half in :57.2.  Excursion (Leon Bailey) came first-up to challenge as they went around the final turn.  Prospectors Gold was first to three-quarters in 1:25.1.

As they battled down the stretch second place finisher Jo Pa’s Warrior (Shawn Gray) became the major danger but Prospectors Gold was too strong and won in 1:53.2.  Excursion had to settle for third.

Prospectors Gold is a 6-year-old gelding by Huntsville.  He is owned and trained by Gary Levine.  It was his third win in 2025.  He now has 14 career victories.

PROSPECTORS GOLD REPLAY

 

Long got his other wins with Reign Of Honor, and Immaculate Prayer.  Leon Bailey had a driving hat trick and Dave Dewhurst had a training double.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (May 10) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs