Discus Hanover captured the $8,500 Open Trot at Vernon Downs on the closing night of the 2021 meet Saturday (Nov. 6).
Discus Hanover charged right to the front as big rival Credit List sat in the pocket. Discus Hanover was first to the quarter in :27. He used a :30.2 second quarter breather to hit the half first in :57.2. Purpose Blue Chip was first to make a move going around the final turn but Discus Hanover maintained the lead hitting three-quarters in 1:26.4.
Credit List made his move in the stretch and slipped through on the inside. Discus Hanover started to drift in deep stretch as Credit List kept coming. Discus Hanover had enough to get to the finish line first in 1:55.3. Credit List had to settle for second with Spoiler Alert picking up third money.
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Discus Hanover is a four-year-old gelding by Credit Winner. He was honoured on the night as the trotter of the year at Vernon Downs. He is owned by Phillip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst. He won 12 times in 20 starts at Vernon this season. He now has 28 career victories. Leon Bailey drove the $3.50 winner.
Leon Bailey is the 2021 leading driver with 127 wins. Justin Huckabone is second on the list with 92 victories. Jimmy Whittemore was third with 54 trips to the winner’s circle. Chris Long (44) and Truman Gale (25) rounded out the top five.
Leon Bailey went to one knee in the winner’s circle and became engaged to Amanda Facin. Congratulations to them both.
Jeff Sorenson is the 2021 top trainer with 38 wins. Justin Huckabone finished second with 34 victories. Kerin Warner was third best with 32 wins. Jessica (26) and Marissa Chadbourne (23) round the top five.
The pacer of the year is Chatelroll. The five-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by George Ducharme. He notched nine wins in 12 starts at the Miracle Mile. Most of the time by Vernon newcomer Frank Affrunti.
Vernon Downs said good-bye to Dreamlands Art and Nubble Light. Dreamlands Art is a 14-year-old gelding by Artsplace. He won in his final start at Vernon tonight. He is owned by Pat Laiso and Jennifer Lappe. He has 36 wins in 328 starts. He won over $770,000 in total purses in his career.
Nubble Light is a 10-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover. He finished his career with 18 wins in 184 starts. He is the original member of the Go Where The Money Is Stable, run by Chris Daley. He is trained by Claude Huckabone III. He will become a riding horse in retirement.
Canadian driver Colin Kelly made his Vernon debut in style, guiding Windsun Gotham to a wire-to-wire score in 1:52.3.
The staff at Vernon Downs wants to thank all the horse people and fans for a great season. We will see you April 2022.
(Vernon Downs)