It was a momentous night at Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 29) for Jimmy Whittemore and a record-tying night for Leon Bailey.
Longtime driver Jimmy Whittemore got his 2,000th career win as he captured the $10,273 featured pace with Galactic Storm. Also on Saturday, leading driver Leon Bailey tied the track record with seven wins on the card.
In the feature, Snap Call (John MacDonald) went to the lead and led to the quarter in :27.1. He used a :30.3 second to be first to the half in :57.4. Galactic Storm ($33.00) made his move first-up going around the final turn. Snap Call led to three-quarters in 1:26.2.
Second-place finisher Snap Call and Galactic Storm battled all the way down the stretch. Galactic Storm used a late burst to get the win in 1:53.4. Scrub Hanover (Bailey) finished third.
Galactic Storm is a five-year-old gelding by American Ideal. He is owned and trained by Whittemore. It was his first win in 2024 and eighth career victory.
Meanwhile, Bailey has been on a tear for the past five weeks. Saturday's performance marked the second time this season that he's won seven races in a single card. It's the third time he has done so during his career.
Bailey's wins on Saturday's card came with Usurp Hanover, Courtly Prince, Lady To Watch, He drove Fear Her Touch to a dead heat with The Hunt Is On (Steeven Genois). Bailey's last three wins came with Go With The Flow, Twentysevenbelow, and Woodside Gabe.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday (July 4) at 6:05 PM. The track will feature the Zweig Memorial races, with fireworks after live racing.
(Vernon Downs)