John MacDonald guided both Pearl Washing Tan and Capt Jack Hanover to wins in the $10,417 conditioned co-features at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Aug. 23.
In the top pace for distaffs, MacDonald sent Pearl Washing Tan ($8.50) to the lead and had her rattle off :26.3, :55, and 1:23.2 splits while uncontested on top. Pearl Washing Tan then resisted the pocket-popping charge of Unusual Clarity (Ron Harp) to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a career-best 1:51.4. The Hunt Is On (Chris Long) finished third.
Pearl Washing Tan scored for the fourth time in her last five starts and improved her seasonal record to six-for-14. The five-year-old mare by Huntsville-Ideal Tan has won 11 of 51 career outings. She is trained by Joe Sansone for Peter Gentile Jr.
MacDonald used late-closing tactics to get Capt Jack Hanover ($13.20) home in the other featured pace. Prospectors Gold (Chris Long) was first to the quarter in :27.2 and got a breather to the half in :57.1. Bettors Donttell (Brad Irvine) came first-up to challenge going through the third panel and was at the leader's flank at three-quarters in 1:26. As they entered the stretch, Capt Jack Hanover came flying three-wide and roared by his rivals to win in 1:53.1. Prospectors Gold and Bettors Donttell landed in a dead heat for second, 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner.
Capt Jack Hanover earned his 13th win of the campaign in 25 starts for MacDonald, who trains the seven-year-old gelding and co-owns him with Michael Kessler and Speed To Burn Racing Stable. The son of Captaintreacherous-Current Hanover is now 36-for-125 lifetime.
MacDonald also won with Made Of Misschief ($4.30) from his own barn for a driving hat trick and a training double on the nine-race program.
Live racing resumes at Vernon Downs on Friday, Aug. 29 with a post time of 3 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)