Exarch ($18.40) and driver Jimmy Whittemore won the $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday, Nov. 10.
Purpose Blue Chip (Artie Dick) fired off a :26.4 opening quarter before backing down the pace to the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.4. As the trotters made the turn for home, Sweet Sofie T (Chris Long) popped the pocket and took the lead. Following in the three-hole, Exarch made his move three-wide in mid-stretch and just got by before the wire to win in 1:56 by a quarter-length. Sweet Sofie T had to settle for second while Mr French (Joe Nassimos) closed from the backfield for third.
Exarch is an eight-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall owned and trained by Angus MacDonald. He earned his second win this season from five starts and now has 21 career victories.
During Friday's card, Vernon Downs horsepeople gathered in the winner’s circle for a moment of silence in solidarity for their comrades at Tioga Downs who suffered the horrible loss of 30 horses in the terrifying barn fire on Thursday morning that shocked the racing world.
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, Nov. 11 with a 12-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)