Only Passing Thru and driver Jimmy Whittemore used come-from-behind tactics to capture Friday’s $7,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs.
Taco Tuesday (John MacDonald) chopped out fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.3, but Only Passing Thru ($7.20), who is owned by Diane Whittemore and trained by Marissa Chadbourne, kicked into gear late en route to posting the win.
Only Passing Thru and Taco Tuesday slugged it out all the way down the stretch. Taco Tuesday dug in but Only Passing Thru had enough to go by to win in 1:54.4. Taco Tuesday had to settle for second best. First Call (Homer Hochstetler) was third.
Only Passing Thru is a five-year-old horse by Muscle Hill. It was his sixth win this season. He has now reached the winner's circle 17 times in his career.
John MacDonald, Jimmy Whittemore, and Jennifer Lappe all had driving doubles on the Friday evening program.
MacDonald, who leads all drivers with 38 wins on the season got his victories with Come Get The Cash ($4.20), and Alex The Great ($4.60). Whittemore is the second leading driver with 25 tallies. He teamed up with leading trainer Marissa Chadbourne (14) for their second win of the night with Love Live Laugh ($5.40). Jennifer Lappe was trainer and driver for her two wins. She was first with Fox Valley Steffen ($5.40), and Sailer Eddie ($13.20).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday with a nine-race card staring at 6:10 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)