Valottalove (Love You) and driver John MacDonald captured the $7,500 featured harness racing trot at Vernon Downs on Thursday (July 11).
Zapaca (Steeven Genois) grabbed the early lead, but Valottalove ($3.90) went on by to lead to the quarter in :27.1.Ā He slowed things down and used a :30.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.3.Ā He maintained the lead to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they reached the stretch Zapaca pulled out of the pocket and went all out after the leader.Ā Valottalove was just too strong and won in 1:55.2.Ā Zapaca had to settle for second money.Ā Conquest As (Chris Long) finished third.
Valottalove is a 5-year-old gelding owned by the JP Stables and trained by MacDonald.Ā It was his fifth win this season.Ā He now has 14 career victories.
VALOTTALOVE REPLAY
Drivers Leon Bailey and John MacDonald won nine of the 12 races on Thursday night.Ā Bailey drove five winners on the card.Ā He got wins with Nicholas Blue Chip, Fear The Virgin, Lady To Watch, Courtly Prince, and Joyful Lady.Ā MacDonald steered four horses to the winnerās circle.Ā His other three wins came with The Hunt Is On, Tullow N, and Maching Me Zilly.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (July 13) at 6.05 p.m.Ā There is no live racing on Friday (July 12) because the band Night Ranger will be performing at the track.Ā Concert time is 8p.m.
For more information, click here.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by John Horne, for Vernon Downs