Oregon Trail takes the inside road to victory

Oregon Trail (Bettor’s Delight, Jimmy Whittemore) charged late to capture the $6,500 featured harness racing pace on Saturday (Jul. 15) at Vernon Downs.

Jericho Willie (Frank Affrunti) and Northern Rein (Steeven Genois) battled to the first quarter.  Jericho Willie got there first in :26.1.  They continued to slug it out all the way down the backstretch.  Northern Rein led to the half in :54.1.  Jericho Willie got the lead back and led to three-quarters in1:23.0.

As they made the turn for home second place finisher Rally Your Crew (Barton Dalious) grabbed a short lead.  Oregon Trail ($6.80) found an opening by the pylons and slipped on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:51.4.

Treacherous Tom (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) finished third.

OREGON TRAIL REPLAY

Oregon Trail is a 6-year-old gelding. He is owned and trained by Robert Leslie.  It was his second win this season and his 16^th career victory.

Warrawee Unique (Barton Dalious) captured the Carol, Howard & Shari Okusko Memorial Pace.  He is owned by Betcha Win Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.  He paid $2.60 to win.

Hannah’s Match (Michael Miller) won the Oliver Peterson Memorial Trot in a thriller.  She paid a whopping $78 to win.  She is owned and trained by Hannah Miller.

John MacDonald leads all drivers with 38 wins.  Barton Dalious is in second with 35 tallies.  Frank Affrunti is third best with 28 victories.  With three wins on the card Jimmy Whittemore moved into fourth with 26 wins.  Steeven Genois 25 wins is fifth

Michelle Warner leads all trainers with 22 wins.  Claude Huckabone III is second with 18 trips to the winner’s circle.  Jeff Sorenson (16), David Dewhurst (15), and Chip Zombick round out the top five.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (July 21) at 4 p.m.

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

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs