Veteran driver Chris Long celebrated his 4,000th career win with Smooth Aceleration at Vernon Downs on Friday, Oct. 27.
With a pair of victories on the card, Long went over the 100-win mark for the season and reached the career milestone.
Following an earlier victory with Robyn Mangiardi's pacing mare Debt Motivated ($4.60), Long was going for his 4,000th win in the sixth race, a $4,500 conditioned trot. He made his move with Smooth Aceleration ($7.40) after a :28.1 first quarter heading down the backstretch. Advancing from an early four-hole, Long and the seven-year-old gelding by Swan For All took over the top spot from Super Betcha (Artie Dick) and led to the half in :58.2 and three-quarters in 1:27.2. Expanding their leading margin to 2-1/2 lengths, they cruised down the stretch to win in 1:57.2.
Smooth Aceleration rebounded from a miscue in his Vernon Downs debut last week to notch his second win of the season. He is owned by Robert Kluchevitz and trained by Chris Dubois.
American JJ ($11.80) and driver Michael Miller led gate-to-wire to win the evening's $6,000 featured trot in 1:57.3 for trainer Hannah Miller while Jeannies Terror ($5) and Tom Merton charged late to take the co-featured $6,000 fillies & mares pace in 1:54.1 for the Dale Gilmour stable.
Barton Dalious has a five-win night at the miracle mile, driving winners Dudes Anna ($4.50), Dancing Dream ($14.80), The Moma Dance ($11.60), Usurp Hanover ($14.20) and Tour De Lindy ($13.40).
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, Oct. 28 with an 11-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)