Golden Gun captured Saturday’s $6,000 feature pace at Vernon Downs thanks in large part to a sweet, pocket trip mapped out by driver Claude Huckabone, Jr.
Golden Gun ($8.60) led to the first quarter in :26.2. Golden Brit (Howard Parker) took control just before the top of the back stretch. He led to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters 1:24.3.
Golden Gun, who is owned by The Wiz Kids Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson, sat in the pocket trip. He went first-over just before the three-quarter mark and held off a late charge by Skip Jive (Jimmy Whittemore) to win in 1:52.3. Skip Jive settled for second money. Electrofire (Jennifer Lappe) finished third.
Golden Gun is a nine-year-old gelding by Headmaster. It was his second win this season and 34th career victory.
Driver Jimmy Whittemore and trainer Marissa Chadbourne combined for three winners on the night. They got their wins with Burkentine Hanover ($8.00), Winding Hill ($4.80) and Poisonous ($2.30). Homer Hochstetler got a driver-trainer double with Hongerholt Red ($4.70), and Bro ($2.50).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday (August 1) with an 11 race card. The card features two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies. Post time is 6:10 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)