Spoiler Alert and driver Frank Affrunti sprang the upset in the featured $7,900 Open 2 Trot at Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 6).
Discus Hanover (Truman Gale) went straight to the front. The favourite Jenny Lake (Justin Huckabone) came first-up to challenge heading to the first turn but went off-stride before the quarter. Discus Hanover was first to the quarter in :27.3, and he slowed things way down with a :30.2 second quarter to hit the half first in :58 then cruised to three-quarters in 1:27.
As they made the turn for home Yankees Beast (Joe Nassimos) came first up to challenge. Discus Hanover dug in but Spoiler Alert ($33.40) found an opening on the inside and squeezed through to win in a seasonal best time of 1:55.1. Discus Hanover had to settle for second best. Yankees Beast finished third.
Spoiler Alert is an eight-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven. He is owned by Jeff Hayes and trained by Misty Carey. It was his fourth win this season, and he now has 25 career victories.
Justin Huckabone drove three winners on the card. Frank Affrunti and Tyler Rush had driving doubles. Karin Warner and Jessica Okusko had training doubles.
Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (August 12) as they welcome in New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings with a first post time of 6:05 p.m.
(Vernon)