Leading driver John MacDonald had five wins on the Saturday, Oct. 7 card of harness racing at Vernon Downs, including a win with Discus Hanover in the $8,000 featured trot.

Discus Hanover ($3.40) jumped right to the front and led to the quarter in :27.1, then stole a second stanza breather to be first to the half in :57.2. Sevenshotsobourbon (Jimmy Whittemore) went first-up to challenge as they headed around the final turn, with Discus Hanover still in command to three-quarters in 1:26.1. 

Discus Hanover was in full control as the field reached the stretch. Sevenshotsobourbon went all out but he couldn’t get close to Discus Hanover, who won easily in 1:56.3. Sevenshotsobourbon stayed for second, with Lepanto (Barton Dalious) finishing third.

Discus Hanover is a six-year-old gelding by Credit Winner.  He is owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst.  It was his fourth straight win and his eighth win this season, bringing his career victory number to 40.

MacDonald got his other wins with Nanuet in the second race, the reeled off a natural hat trick starting in the fifth with Mommas A Diva, Dowahs Boy and Zapaca before guiding Discus Hanover to victory in the ninth dash.

Gordon Daley Jr. won a car in the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program Horseplay contest. A total of $6,207 was raised for the local region of the American Cancer Society.

Live harness racing returns on Friday, Oct. 13 at 6:05 p.m. 

(Vernon Downs)