Bluesville returned to the Open level following a conditioned-class victory and captured the $11,972 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, July 18.
Galactic Storm (Jimmy Whittemore) took control just before hitting the quarter first in :28 while Bluesville settled in fourth for trainer-driver Ron Harp. The leader reached the half in :56.4 and picked up speed to three-quarters in 1:24.4 with Bluesville creeping off the cones for a first-over move. Bluesville grinded past Galactic Storm down the lane and was home for a 1:52.4 victory, evading the charge of Primo Uomo (Jeff Gregory) by a half-length. The latter got up for second over Galactic Storm.
Bluesville, a seven-year-old Huntsville-Dontcrymetheblues gelding, is three-for-10 this season for owner Big Sky Ranch. Saturday's win was his 28th lifetime in 112 starts, raising his bankroll to $253,813. The win payout was $7.98.
Driver Chris Long won five races on the 14-race card. He visited the winner's circle with Keg Party ($5.10), Super Sarah ($9.56), Captain Catch ($4.94), Gascoigne A C ($5.56) and Vel Who Said ($4.26). Long is having another great season at Vernon, sitting second in the standings with 42 wins. He is 106-for-810 across all tracks on the year.
A single-horse accident occurred in the second race as Poppa Joe, driven by Jimmy Whittemore, broke stride and fell just after the start. It was announced that the horse was up, and Poppa Joe was off the track by the time the field reached the stretch again. Whittemore drove in — and won — the next race and fulfilled the remainder of his driving obligations.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Sunday with 14 stakes races headlined by the $300,000 USD Grade 2 Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot for three-year-olds and the $139,000 USD companion event for fillies. Post time is set for 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)