The 2022 harness racing season came to a close on Saturday (Nov. 19) with the meet leaders feted during the evening.
Frank Affrunti captured the Vernon Downs/Winning Wheels Driver of the Year. He reached the winner’s circle 66 times this season. Steeven Genois finished second with 62 wins. Leon Bailey (50), Barton Dalious (46), and John MacDonald (40) rounded out the top five.
Kerin Warner won the Vernon Downs/Black Stallion Trainer of the Year. Warner topped the charts with 54 wins. Misty Carey was second best with 30 tallies. Jeff Sorenson finished third with 28 wins. Jessica Okusko (26), and David Dewhurst (26) tied for fourth.
Joxter was named Trotter of the Meet. The four-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven had seven wins, two seconds, and two thirds in 11 starts at Vernon. He won $36,899 in total purses. He is owned by Ann-Mari Daley and trained by Dan Daley.
Northern Rein took Pacer of the Meet honours. The seven-year-old gelding by American Ideal had five wins, five seconds, and four thirds this season at Vernon while earning nearly $37,000 this meet. He is owned by New York Standardbreds LTD and trained by Kerin Warner.
Sgt Papa Daddy (John MacDonald) and Makadushin N Cheez (Leon Bailey) captured the features on closing night
Sgt Papa Daddy ($2.90) cruised to an easy 1:51.4 win in the $8,700 featured pace. An eight-year-old gelding by Rockin Image, he is owned by MacDonald and trained by Kimberly Hines. It was his seventh win this season and the 43rd of his career.
Makadushin N Cheez ($3.80) hung on to take the $8,700 featured trot in a lifetime best of 1:55.2. A three-year-old gelding by Conway Hall, he is owned by Joe D’Agostino. Molly D’Agostino, Peter Kadushin, and trainer David Dewhurst. It was his 11th win of 2022 and 18th career victory.
John MacDonald ended 2022 with a driving grand slam while David Dewhust had a training grand slam. Leon Bailey had a driving hat-trick.
Vernon Downs would like to thank its great horsepeople and fans on a great season and looks forward to seeing everyone when live harness racing returns in April 2023.
(with files from Vernon)