Lepanto comes in hot winning Vernon feature

Harness racing driver Barton Dalious continued his hot hand winning four races on the card including the $7,500 featured trot with Lepanto ($4.70, Bar Hopping) at Vernon Downs on Friday (Jul. 28).

Lepanto went to the front and led to the quarter in :27.4.  Makadushin N Cheez (John MacDonald) too over the top spot as they headed for the backstretch. He was first to the half in :57.0 and led to three-quarters in 1:27.0

LEPANTO REPLAY

As they reached the stretch Lepanto came-up to challenge for the lead.  He took over control in deep stretch and had to hold off the late charge from second place finisher Poker Play (Steeven Genois), and third place finisher Majestic Sunset (Jack McNeil), to win in 1:56.2.

Lepanto is a 5-year-old gelding. He is owned by the Betcha Win Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.  It was his fifth win this season.  He now has 16 career victories.

Dalious added two of his four win with trainer Gary Gibson (trained three winners on the card.  Dalious got his other win with Cenalta Call Girl.

Barton Dalious leads all drivers with 45 wins.  John MacDonald is in second with 41 tallies.  Frank Affrunti and Jimmy Whittemore are tied for third best with 30 victories. Steeven Genois (28) rounds out the top five.

Michelle Warner leads all trainers with 27 wins.  Claude Huckabone III is second 19 trips to the winner’s circle. Jeff Sorenson is third with 18 wins. David Dewhurst and Gary Gibson each have 15 wins to round out the top five.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (July 29) with a 10-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

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

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

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs