Somedew Somedont and Tournament each won a division of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series on Friday night (April 27) at Vernon Downs with John MacDonald driving.
Somedew Somedont ($2.20) and MacDonald captured the first $4,000 division of the Keller Trotting Series. Owned by Chris Lawton and trainer Dale Lawton, Somedew Somedont nailed down her second straight win of the season, scoring in 1:57.4 by four and three-quarter lengths. The three-year-old filly by Deweycheatumnhowe earned career win number four.
MacDonald was the winning driver in the second division as well, leading Tournament ($2.30) to a gate-to-wire victory in 1:58.2 by five and a half lengths. The three-year-old gelding, also sired by Deweycheatumnhowe, is owned by Philip Hale and trainer David Dewhurst. Tournament won for the second time this season and the sixth time in his short career.
Warrawee Preferred ($12.60) charged late to capture the $7,000 featured trot for driver Mike Merton.
Pier Ho Exotic (Jimmy Whittemore) posted all the early fractions (:26.3, :55.4, 1:25.1). Trooper Jim (Drew Monti) came out of the pocket just before the three-quarter mark and the two battled all the way into the stretch. Warrawee Preferred watched patiently from third and the seven-year-old Federal Flex gelding, who is owned by Scott Woogen and trained by Gary Messenger, made his move in mid-stretch blowing by Pier Ho Exoctic to get the win in 1:55.1. Painite (Truman Gale) came up late to finish third. Trooper Jim broke stride in the stretch and finished sixth.
Warrawee Preferred won for the third time this season and while getting career win number 34.
(With files from Vernon Downs)