Frisky Joe and Truman Gale took the $9,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (June 8).
Sweet Ashley T (Homer Hochstetler) went to the front and carved out all the early fractions (:27.4, :58, 1:27). Muscles Jared (Jimmy Whittemore) went first-over just before the first quarter. The two battled all the way down the backstretch and to the three-quarter pole. Muscles Jared finally took control at the top of the stretch.
Frisky Joe ($27.60) was sixth after three-quarters and flew like he was shot out of a cannon and dueled second-place finisher Foundonabeach (John MacDonald) in deep stretch to win in 1:56.1. Icanflylikeanangel (Roman Lopez) finished third.
Frisky Joe is an 11-year-old gelding by Frisky Fighter. Owned by Morgan Carney and trained by Michael Miller, he won for the third time this season and the 36th time in his career.
Jimmy Whittemore won four on the night. His wins were with Bloodstockshalltab ($4.20), Pier Ho Exotic ($6.00), Blameitonthenight ($4.30), and Pudges Pastime ($12.80).
Whittemore is the leading driver so far this season with 29 wins. Three-time defending drivers champion John MacDonald is second with 21 wins. Truman Gale finds himself in third place with 16 trips to the winner’s circle.
(With files from Vernon Downs)