Tight finishes in Vernon features

Star Track Hanover (Chapter Seven, Dylan Huckabone-Miller) and Unusual Clarity (Betterthancheddar, Ron Harp) captured the harness racing co-features at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 26).

Star Track Hanover ($7.70) wore down Debs Prince Hall (Frank Affrunti) to win the featured $6,500 trot.

Debs Prince Hall took the lead and led the group to the quarter in :27.3.  He used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.4.  He cruised to three-quarters in 1:26.0.

As they reached the stretch Star Track Hanover popped the pocket and battled Debs Prince Hall all the way down the stretch.  Star Track Hanover used a late burst to win in 1:56.2.  Debs Prince Hall had to settle for second.  Cash N Chrome (Barton Dalious) finished third.

Star Track Hanover is a 7-year-old gelding .  He is owned and trained by Susanne Lopez. It was his first win of the season.  He now owns 17 career victories

Unusual Clarity ($10.40) splits through rivals late to capture the $6,500 featured fillies and mares’ pace.

Won Surreal Deal (Barton Dalious) led to the quarter in :28.2.  Abuelita Hanover (Jimmy Whittemore) brushed his way to be alongside near the half.  Won Surreal Deal led to the half :57.3 and to three-quarters in 1:25.0.

As they made the turn for home Lorrie Sue (Frank Affrunti) popped the pocket and challenged for the lead.  Unusual Clarity squeezed through them both to notch the victory in 1:54.4.  Won Surreal Deal held on for second.  Cruizin The Night (Chris Long) came up to finish third.

Unusual Clarity is an 8-year-old mare .  She is owned by Nicholas Gibides and trained by Harp.  It was her fourth win of the season.  She now has 29 career victories.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (May 27) with a 10-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs