Pocket-rocket takes Vernon Downs feature

Rock The Nite (Rocknroll Hanover) and harness racing driver John MacDonald captured the $5,500 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Friday (August 9).

Beach Boogie (Josh Kinney) darted out of the gate and was first to the quarter in :27.0.  He went :28.4 in the second quarter and led to the half in :55.4.  Meanwhile Rock The Nite ($7.40) was just biding his time in the pocket as they headed around the final turn.  Beach Boogie was first to three-quarters in 1:24.4.

As they reached the stretch Rock The Nite popped the pocket and blew right on by to win in 1:53.2 by one length.  Beach Boogie had to settle for second.  Justa Bandit (Frank Affrunti) finished third.

Rock The Nite is 12-year-old gelding owned by Lydia Christie and trained by Gary Gibson.  It was his fourth win this season.  He now has 41 career victories.

ROCK THE NITE REPLAY

Senor Fantastic (Tactical Landing) with driver Dan Daley won the Phillip Doyle Memorial Trot in a lifetime best of 1:56.0.  He is a 3-year-old colt trained by Dan Daley for owners Oleg Ivutin, Ann Mari, and Jared Daley.

SENOR FANTASTIC REPLAY

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (August 10) with an 11-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

For more information, click here.

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

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs