Bettors Donttell, after a day trip to Pocono last out, made a victorious return to Vernon Downs on Saturday, July 26 as he captured the featured $11,644 Open Pace.

He sat fourth for Brad Irvine as Bluesville (Ron Harp) steamed through a blistering :25.3 first quarter before backing things down to the half in :55.3. Syracuse Express (Chris Long) came first-up heading around the final turn and eclipsed the pacesetter at three-quarters in 1:23.2 with Bettors Donttell on his back second-over. Bettors Donttell ($5.80) fanned out in the stretch and blew by his foes to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:51.1. Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) came on late to finish second over Capt Jack Hanover (John MacDonald).

Bettors Donttell, a Bettors Delight-Donttellruss gelding, secured his fourth win of the year in 15 tries. Laura Shock trains the seven-year-old, a 24-time winner in 122 career outings.

Jimmy Whittemore trained a trio of winners to victory on the nine-race card, driving each of them himself. The victories came with Jolly Harbor ($2.90), Mask On Mask Off ($11.60), and Oer The Ramparts ($6). He also won the finale in the sulky for a driving grand slam. Whittemore's stable is clicking at a 25 per cent rate this season with 18 victories to date.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Thursday, July 31 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)