Excelsior “A” horses shine

Vernon Downs played host to eight $50,000 Excelsior “A” harness racing finals on Saturday (September 11). 

Debs Prince Hall (Alek Chartrand) comes back late to win the freshmen trotting colts & geldings final. 

Southwind Rifle (Brian Cross) took the early lead but Debs Prince Hall ($7.40) took over before hitting the first quarter in :28.1.  Debs Prince Hall was first to the half in 1:00.2 and to three-quarters in 1:29.3. 

As they reached the stretch Southwind Rifle popped the pocket and the fight was on.  Southwind Rifle took a short lead in deep stretch but Debs Prince Hall used a late surge in the finals yards and won in 1:59.2.  Southwind Rifle had to settle for second with Barn Bully (Andy Miller) getting third.

Debs Prince Hall is a colt by Conway Hall-Debs Princess.  Owned by Richard Vale and trained by Chartrand.  It was career win number three. 

Nadina Hanover (Wally Hennessey) hangs on to win the final for 2-year-old pacing fillies. 

Flip The Script (Jordan Stratton) was first to the quarter in :27.2.  Nadina Hanover ($12.60) came first-up from fourth to take over and lead to the half.  American Jazz (Jason Bartlett) made her move and battled Nadina Hanover around the final turn.  American Jazz took a short lead to three-quarters in 1:26.4. 

As they made the turn for home Nadina Hanover battled back and re-claimed the lead in the stretch.  Flip The Script came flying late but had to settle for second as Nadina Hanover hung on to win in 1:54.1.  American Jazz finished third. 

Nadina Hanover is a filly by American Ideal-New Album.  She is owned by the Dune Road Stables and trained by R Nifty Norman.  It was her third career win.  

Impact Jane (Wally Hennessey) is upset winner in the final for 2-year-old trotting fillies. 

Impact Jane ($19.60) led to the quarter in :28.1 and to the half in :59.1.  Angels Trolly (Trond Smedshammer) came first-over and took the lead at three-quarters in 1:28.2. 

Impact Jane re-claimed the lead in the stretch.  She held off a late charge from second-place finisher, Adjure Hanover (Braxten Boyd) to get her first career victory in 1:56.2.  Je Suis Si Belle (Andy Miller) was third best.

Impact Jane is a filly by E L Titan-Miss Gibbons.  She is owned by Howard Gill and trained by George Ducharme.   

Jovian (Wally Hennessey) charges late to win the final for freshmen pacing colts & geldings. 

Power Blu (Matt Kakaley) led to the first quarter in :26.4 and to the half in :57.3.  Handsoffmytitos (Andy Miller) came flying first-over and led to three-quarters in 1:25.2.   

It was Power Blu back in front when they entered the stretch.  Jovian (17.20) forged his way to the front and won his first career race in 1:53.4.  Shakertown (Jason Bartlett) came up to finish second.  Power Blu had to settle for third.

Jovian is a gelding by Roll With Joe-Kings Ideal.  He is owned by Curran Racing LLC., Adam Friedland, and trainer Eve Bergeron.  

Chapolier (Jordan Stratton) captures the final for 3-year-old trotting colts & geldings.  

Chapolier ($9.00) was first to the quarter in :26.2.  Barn Hall (Braxten Boyd) took over and led to the half in :56.4 and to three-quarters in 1:26.0. 

As they made the turn for home Chapolier found an opening on the inside and went on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:54.2.  Barn Hall was second best as Creditrina (Trond Smedshammer) finished third.

Chapolier is a gelding by Chapter Seven.  He is owned by William Hartt and trained by Lance Hudson.  It was his third win of the season and his career. 

Therewasthisgirl (Tyler Buter) dominates sophomores in the pacing fillies final. 

Seafood Sweetheart (Andy Miller) was first to the first quarter in :27.0.  So Amazing (Wally Hennessey) then made her move to hit the half first in :55.4.  Therewasthisgirl ($2.30) took over heading to the final turn as she was first to three-quarters in 1:24.1. 

Therewasthisgirl breezed her way down the stretch winning it easily in a lifetime best of 1:51.4.  Itzpapalotl (Jason Bartlett) fired late to finish second.  Relay Roll (Matt Kakaley) collected third money.

Therewasthisgirl is a filly by So Surreal.  She is owned by Heather Marshall and trainer George Ducharme.  She won for the fifth time this season after being winless as a two-year-old. 

Cindy Michelle (John Stark Jr.) takes the 3-year-old trotting fillies final. 

Just Joshing (Andy Miller) controlled all the early fractions (:27.2, :57.1, 1:27.0). 

As they made the turn for home Izzy Demsky (Mattias Melander) battled Cindy Michelle all they way down the stretch.  Cindy Michelle was too strong and won in 1:56.0.  Izzy Demsky had to settle for second with You Make It Easy (Jason Bartlett) getting third.

Cindy Michelle is a filly by E L Titan.  She is trained by Stark Jr. for owners Peter Barbato and Sam Bova Racing.  Unraced as a two-year old she has eight wins this season. 

Isaac (Tyler Buter) nips Bolt Power (Jason Bartlett) in the sophomore pacing colts & geldings final. 

Surrealin (Matt Kakaley) led to the first quarter in :26.2 and to the half in :55.3.  Bolt Power made his move and led to three-quarters in 1:23.3. 

As they reached the stretch Bolt Power continued to lead but Isaac ($19.80) had other ideas and ran him down to get the victory in a lifetime best mile of 1:51.3.  Bolt Power had to settle for second.  Trevor’s Ace (Jimmy Whittemore) came up to finish third.

Isaac is a colt by American Ideal.  He is owned by Amy Cable and trained by George Ducharme.  It was his fourth win this season and the eighth win of his career. 

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (September 17).

For the full results of today’s racing click here.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

Fotowon Photos

by John Horne for Vernon Downs