Winning Legends and Chatelroll grabbed the co-features at Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 26).
Winning Legends held on to win the $7,000 Open Trot.
Winning Legends went to the front and was confronted right away by Jenny Lake as they headed for the first turn. Winning Legends was first to the first quarter in :26.4. Jenny Lake had to back off and follow in the pocket. Winning Legends was first to the half in :56.3. He remained in control leading to three-quarters in 1:26.4.
As they made the turn for home Jenny Lake popped out of the pocket and American JJ went three-wide. Winning Legends would shake them off and then brace for a late charge from second-place finisher, My Miracle. Winning Legends was not to be denied and won 1:55. American JJ finished third.
Winning Legends is a 5-year-old gelding by Winning Mister. He is owned by Jonathan Applebaum and trained by Huckabone. It was win number four this season. He now owns 19 victories. Justin Huckabone drove the $4.00 winner.
Chatelroll flew late to capture the $7,000 Open Pace.
Franco Tristan N went to the front and controlled all the early fractions. He led to the first quarter in :28. He used a :29.4 second quarter to hit the half in :57.4. He was first to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they headed to the stretch Chatelroll used a burst of speed coming from fourth blowing right by the runner-up Franco Tristan N win easily in 1:52.3 Bruces Magic was third best.
Chatelroll is a 5-year-old horse by Roll With Joe. He is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by George Ducharme. He is now five for seven in 2021. He now has 16 victories. Frank Affrunti piloted the $5.60 winner.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (July 2). Post time is 6:10 p.m. (EDT).
(Vernon Downs)