Lepanto and driver Leon Bailey survived a tough trip to capture Friday’s featured $8,700 Open 2 Trot at Vernon Downs.

E Street (Todd Cummings) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :28.  He used a :30.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.2.  Lepanto made his move first-up from last heading to the far turn.  E Street was first to three-quarters in 1:26.3.  

As they reached the stretch Lepanto was relentless and wore done the second-place finisher E Street and won in 1:56.  Bourbon Express (Frank Affrunti) was third.  

Lepanto is a four-year-old gelding by Bar Hopping.  He is owned by Betcha Win Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.  It was his sixth win this season.  He now has 10 career victories.  He paid $3.30 to win.  

Bailey drove three winners on the card.  He got his other wins with Idontthinkso ($3.90), and Kisses From Above ($4.30).  

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Sept. 24) with an eight-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.  

(Vernon Downs)