Taco Tuesday cruises to easy win at Vernon

Taco Tuesday ($3.30) charged right out to the lead putting up all the fractions to win gate-to-wire (:27.1, :55.3, 1:24.2, 1:54.2). Pier Ho Exotic (Jimmy Whittemore) came up late to finish second. Kabu (John MacDonald) was third best.

Taco Tuesday is a 5-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall. Owned by Vincent Laurenzo and trained by Don Hoover, he now has six wins on the season and 18 career victories.

Mydelight Blue Chip (Ben McNeil) uses a late move to win the featured fillies and mares pace ($7,500).

KJ's Caroline (Jeff Long) went straight to the front and led the group to the first quarter in :28.3. Under The Bus (Truman Gale) took over at the top of the back stretch and led them to the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.1.

The big favorite Jaclyn Hanover (John MacDonald) took a short lead as they reached the top of the stretch. Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) went three wide and took over in mid stretch. Mydelight Bluechip ($20.20), who is owned by Ellen McNeil and trained by John McNeil III, came flying four wide to nip second place finisher Love Live Laugh in 1:55.1. Jaclyn Hanover settled for third.

Mydelight Bluechip is a 6-year-old mare by Bettor's Delight. It was her seventh win in 2018 and he 16th career trip to the winner's circle.

Claude Huckabone III and Leon Bailey each had three driving wins on the night. Huckabone III finished first with Kolbee's Star ($4.80), Heavenly War ($15.60), and Miss B ($29.80). Bailey got his other wins with Dry Creek Gin ($20.60) and Rockin Deo ($17,00).

With one day of racing left the driver's win title is still undecided. Jimmy Whittemore has 115 driving wins and John MacDonald has 114 tallies. It won't be decided until tomorrow night.

Saturday (November 3) is closing night at Vernon Downs. The 12 race card features a "War Horse" race as well as two "Turn Back the Clock" races. There will be a drawstring bag giveaway (While supplies last) and a live bugler. Post time is 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs