The red hot John MacDonald, who had won six races last night, won five more on Friday night (September 8) at Vernon Downs.
MacDonald kicked off the 12-race card with three straight victories aboard Thundercrest ($3.40), Miss Ruby ($2.60) and The Russian Spy ($8.30). He also won back-to-back races starting in the eighth with Skyflex ($14) and wrapped up his five-win performance in rein to his own trainee Pinky The Intern ($9.70).
Winding Hill ($5.20) and driver Jimmy Whittemore won the evening's $9,000 featured trot. Pop I (John MacDonald) took the lead at the head of the stretch, but Winding Hill slugged it out with him going all the way down the stretch. Owned by Diane Whittemore and trained by Dennis Whittemore, the six-year-old Here Comes Herbie gelding won by a head in the end, clocking the mile in 1:54.4. Winding Hill won for the sixth time this season and the 26th time in his career. Pop I settled for second as The Big Muscle (Joe Nassimos) got third.
Live harness racing resumes at Vernon Downs on Saturday (September 9).
(With files from Vernon Downs)