Defending driving champion Jimmy Whittemore and training titleist Tracy Brainard
were each credited with victories during Friday's qualifying program at Vernon
Downs.
104 harness
horses performed during the morning's 17 races as the Central New York harness
track prepared for its 59th season.
Whittemore, who was tops in wins
during Vernon's 2011 campaign with 108 first-place finishes, guided JK Panache
to a 1:54.4 triumph in Friday's fifth race.
It proved to be a career-fastest mile for the 3-year-old pacing colt that
is shared in ownership by trainer Dave Dewhurst and Philip Hale.
Brainard, who led all
conditioners at the Downs last year with 56 victories, received a 2:00.4 score
from her veteran trotter Armbro Doyle in Friday's 10th event. Provisional reinsman Jordan Hope did the
teaming.
Veteran driver Chris Lems
recorded three tallies during Friday's second practice session of the season,
two of them for trainer Deedra Johnson and the other for owner and conditioner
Gary Bryant.
Driving and/or training doubles
were also posted over Vernon's 7/8ths-mile track by Brian Connor, Leon Bailey,
Adam Capizzano, Gary Minckler and Paul Minckler.
Vernon will conduct its annual
Media Night program at 6:55 p.m. on Tuesday (April 24) and another qualifying
session at 11 a.m. next Friday (April 27).
The track's official 90-card campaign will follow at 6:55 p.m. that
Friday evening (Apr. 27).
DOWNS DOINGS--Additional
information regarding the track's 59th schedule and its casino can be
obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
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