Only Passing Thru was awarded first place due to a disqualification by Taco Tuesday during Friday’s $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs.
Warrawee Preferred (Jim Taggert, Jr.) charged to the front and put up all the opening fractions (:27.4, :59, 1:28.3). Taco Tuesday popped out of the pocket and took over the lead at the top of the stretch. Only Passing Thru ($3.90) and driver Jimmy Whittemore made a three-wide move to challenge Taco Tuesday for the lead. Taco Tuesday drifted wide causing interference. Taco Tuesday crossed the finish line first but was placed second for interference. Warrawee Preferred hung on to finish third.
Only Passing Thru is a five-year-old horse by Muscle Hill. Owned by Diane Whittemore and trained by Marissa Chadbourne, he won for the third time in 10 starts this season. He now has 14 career victories.
Jimmy Whittemore and Marissa Chadbourne combined for three winners on the night. Their other wins came with Blameitonthenight ($2.30) and Bold Fresh ($21.20).
Mr Lucky Star (Roman Lopez) came flying late to overtake the big favourite Barn Beast (Claude Huckabone Jr.) to win the first division of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series ($4,000) in 1:56.1. Mark C Adams (Truman Gale) was third best.
Mr Lucky Star ($6.90) is a four-year-old gelding by Mr Cantab who is trained by Roman Lopez for owners Joan Ellafrits and Lynn Wilson. It was his first win in two lifetime starts.
Irish Kate (Claude Huckabone III) went gate-to-wire to win the second division Of The Robert E. Keller Trotting Series in 2:02.2. Massive Impressive (Rick Harp) made a late charge but fell short to settle for second. Little Dave (Angus MacDonald) finished third.
Irish Kate ($3.60) is a four-year-old mare by Conway Hall. Owned by Donald Cosgrove and trained by Angus MacDonald, she won for the first time this season. She now owns five career victories.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday with an 11 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)