Daley Deposit Only didn’t disappoint his backers in the $9,000 featured eighth event, while Waltrip Hanover made his fans sit up and take notice in Saturday night’s $6,300 seventh race at Vernon Downs
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Daley Deposit Only delivered a bold going 1:52 triumph in the week’s Open Handicap Pace, while Waltrip Hanover tied a track record and equaled the swiftest mile in 30 local program with his 1:51.3 victory one race earlier.
Trainer Dan Daley did the teaming behind the favourite Daley Deposit Only ($6.40), who took command in the clubhouse curve and held on for a neck score over Smoky Bonz, the event’s second wagering choice. It was the second straight Open tally and third win at the meet for the quick-footed four-year-old son of Artiscape-Sassy Cessiann, who is owned by Ann-Mari Daley, Dan’s wife, Jared Daley, Robert Pergament and Richard Lombardo. His career winnings stand at $72,174 after 35 lifetime starts.
Waltrip Hanover, the odds-on favourite in Saturday’s seventh session, took the lead going to the half, timed in :54.1, and continued on to a 6-3/4 length tally, tying two fellow pacers and three trotters at three for most consecutive first-place finishes at the meet. His speedy score equaled the 1:51.3 all-time Vernon standard for four-year-old pacing horses, established by Stylish Cam in 1992, and tied the season’s fastest local mile, turned in by fellow sidewheeler If I Can Dream on May 30.
The time was a new mark for the speedy son of The Panderosa-Witchn Flight, who is owned by Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables. He paid $3.20 to win.
Waltrip Hanover’s driver, Howard Okusko, Jr., earned his sixth hat trick at the meet, while his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, also collected a trio of first-place finishes. They currently sit atop the track’s driver and trainer charts, respectfully, with one third of the 90-card campaign having been completed.
Jimmy Whittemore, current runner up in the dashes won listing, also teamed three winners during Saturday’s 12-race program.
(Vernon Downs)