Da Boogie Man ($4.70) and driver Justin Huckabone won the featured $7,700 Open Trot at Vernon Downs on Monday afternoon (July 4).
Spoiler Alert (Frank Affrunti) took the early lead, but Da Boogie Man made his way to the front just before hitting the first quarter in :28.1. Discus Hanover (Truman Gale) was first to make a move as they headed for the backstretch, but as he started to close in, he went on a break.
Da Boogie Man continued to lead to the half in :57.1. As they headed for the final turn, Discus Hanover got going again and made a challenge, but went off-stride once again as Da Boogie Man was first to three-quarters in 1:26.
Spoiler Alert went all out as the field made the turn for home but couldn’t get close to Da Boogie Man, who stopped the clock in 1:55.4. Spoiler Alert had to settle for second while Poker Play (Dan Daley) came up to finish third.
Da Boogie Man is a five-year-old gelding by RC Royalty. He is owned by Room4040 Llc Stables and trained by Huckabone. The win was his sixth of the season from 20 starts and his ninth career victory.
Huckabone had two more driving wins on the card and they were both with Kerin Warner trainees -- Quaker Hill ($5) and Nanuet ($6.50).
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (July 8) with post time at 6:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)