Lepanto takes the long road

Lepanto (Bar Hopping) and harness racing driver Leon Bailey won the featured $8,700 Open 2 Trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (Sep. 23).

E Street (Todd Cummings) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :28.0.  He used a :30.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.2.  Lepanto ($3.30) made his move first-up from last heading to the far turn.  E Street was first to three-quarters in 1:26.3.

As they reached the stretch Lepanto was relentless and wore done the second-place finisher E Street and won in 1:56.0.  Bourbon Express (Frank Affrunti) was third.

Lepanto is a 4-year-old gelding owned by Betcha Win Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.  It was his sixth win this season.  He now has 10 career victories.

LEPANTO REPLAY

Bailey drove three winners on the card.  He got his other wins with Idon’tthinkso ($3.90), and Kisses From Above ($4.30).  Steeven Genois had a driving double.  He was first with All Heart I Am ($6.20), and Siros Blue Chip ($3.80).

Vernon Downs returns to Live racing on Saturday (September 24) with an eight-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs