First Call got roughed up early in Thursday’s $5,500 trotting feature at Vernon Downs, but that didn’t stop the square gaiter from scoring an impressive victory.
Its Chocolate Time (Jimmy Whittemore) shot to the lead and led to a first quarter in :28.1, with First Call parked out and pressing. First Call then showed a short lead while racing parked past the half in :57.4, but he later cleared to the top and opened up a three-length lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.1. A :28.4 final quarter earned First Call the win by 3-1/4 lengths over Its Chocolate Time in 1:55. Third money was earned by Deaks Sweetie Pie.
Trained and driven by Homer Hochstetler for owners Robert Buddig, Allen Schwartz, and Connie Hochstetler, the three-year-old daughter of Credit Winner won for the fourth time this season and the fifth time in her career.
Pinky The Intern and driver Leon Cable captured the $3,500 Vernon Amateur Driver Club event after Famous C (Vladimir Melnichenko) put up the early fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:28.2.
Pinky The Intern ($3.70) followed in the pocket all the way until just after three-quarters. Owned by Anthony Chiniara and trained by Cable, she popped out of the pocket and flew right by to win in 1:58.1. Son Of Liberty (Homer Hochstetler) was a distant second, with Little Big Rigs (Tony Ciuffetelli) finishing third.
Pinky The Intern is a six-year-old mare by Pilgrims Taj. It was her second straight win and her 14th career victory.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (July 28) with an 11 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)