Gimme The Loot wins C.K.G. Billings Series Trot at Vernon Downs

Gimme The Loot and Robert Krivelin

Gimme The Loot and driver Robert Krivelin gained a victory in the non-betting C.K.G. Billings Series leg for amateur drivers of trotters; JK Panache and The Triple Lindy captured the top pari-mutuel pace and trot, respectively; Gary P. Clark emerged as the track's leading provisional pilot, while Jimmy Whittemore posted four first-place finishes for the second straight evening during Saturday's 14-race program at Vernon Downs.

Racing for the first time in 2013, Gimme The Loot logged a 1:59.4 triumph in the Billing contest that took place prior to Saturday's 65^th betting card.  The spunky 8-year-old gelding raced at or near the lead throughout and closed from second in the stretch to defeat Northmedo Wine Guy, and driver Matt Zuccarello, by three-quarters of a length.  Thomas Di Bartolo conditions the career-winner of $190,948 for owner Alessandro Spano.

JK Panache, a two-time track record-setter at the Downs this season, powered his way to a 1:51.3 score in Saturday's $8,000 seventh race, earning his fifth local tally, seventh season's score and 15^th lifetime victory.

Whittemore did the teaming for trainer Dave Dewhurst, an owner of the 4-year-old pacing gelding along with Philip K. Hale.

The Triple Lindy became a two-time winner at the meet with a 1:54.1 career-best clocking in the $7,000 10^th event.  Brian Mattison urged the 5-year-old trotting gelding into the lead entering the final quarter, and the brown son of Credit Winner held on to secure his 11^th lifetime victory for owner and trainer Paul Kelley and his partners Stephen G. Michaels, Jim Winske and William B. Weaver, III.

Part-owner Clark (with Fay E. Clark) steered the 4-year-old pacing mare New York Kitty to a 1:54.1 triumph in Saturday's $4,000 eighth event that gave the 46-year-old horseman a 3-2 lead over Josh Kinney and Justin Huckabone in this year's provisional drivers' derby at the track.

Whittemore, a three-time former Vernon dash-winning champion, enjoyed his fifth four-win outing of the track's 60^th anniversary season, while hiking his three night victory total for the weekend to nine.  The 29-year-old teamster currently sits third on this season's race-winning chart with 77 first-place finishes.

Leading driver (117 wins) and trainer (46 tallies) Rick Plano won two races during Saturday's pari-mutuel card, as did Mattison, Kelley and driver/trainer Claude Huckabone, III.

DOWNS DOINGS—The Downs will continue its Thursday-Saturday live racing schedule next week, with first post time at 6:45 p.m…A revised 2013 racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.