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 $10,274 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. Whittemore made his move first-up with Galactic Storm going around the final turn while Snap Call led to three-quarters in 1:26.2. 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 over Snap Call. Scrub Hanover (Bailey) finished third.
Galactic Storm is a five-year-old gelding by American Ideal. He is owned and trained by Whittemore. The win of the season in eight starts and marked his eighth career victory. He paid $33 for the upset win.
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 first wins on Saturday's card came with Usurp Hanover, Courtly Prince, Lady To Watch and he drove Fear Her Touch in 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.
Live harness racing returns at Vernon Downs on Thursday, July 4 at 6:05 p.m. The track will feature the Zweig Memorial races, with fireworks after live racing.
(With files from Vernon Downs)