Capt Jack Hanover captured the featured $10,274 optional claiming pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Aug. 9, extending his streak of top-three finishes to 14.
Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) left hard and was first to the quarter in :26.2 but soon gave way to Capt Jack Hanover ($9.80), who took a short lead heading around second turn for John MacDonald. Bettors Donttell (Brad Irvine) then took control from fourth and led to the half in :55.1, facing a test from Prospectors Gold (Chris Long) to three-quarters in 1:24. As they reached the stretch, Bettors Donttell and Prospectors Gold continued to battle, but Capt Jack Hanover found an opening on the inside in deep-stretch and slipped through to win in 1:52.1. Prospectors Gold edged out Bettors Donttell for second in a three-across finish.
Capt Jack Hanover improved his seasonal record to 12 victories in 23 starts, equalling last year's win total. The seven-year-old gelding by Captaintrecherous-Current Hanover is trained by MacDonald, who co-owns him with Micheal Kessler and Speed To Burn Racing Stb. He is now 35-for-123 lifetime.
Trainer Amy Curtis earned her first career pari-mutuel victory as Always Be Mike ($9.90) rallied to victory in the seventh race. The six-year-old Always B Miki-Worldly Deo stallion prevailed by a neck in 1:54.4 in his fifth start for the conditioner. Curtis made her debut earlier this year with a sixth-place finish in April at Shenandoah Downs. The Bridgeport, Ala. resident has hit the board five times in 19 starts to date.
John MacDonald also drove his Artifact Hanover to victory for a double. Chris Long drove two winners.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)