CALLAHAN MAKES FIRST TRIP TO VERNON DOWNS A MEMORABLE ONE

Driver Corey Callahan might be best known as the driver of top 3-year-old trotter, Googoo Gaagaa; but, he made his first ever trip to Vernon Downs a memorable one by winning the $200,000 Credit Winner with longshot Hot Shot Blue Chip.

Hot Shot Blue Chip's upset of world champion Chapter Seven is featured on this week's episode of "Inside Harness Racing." The show airs today (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM and again at 10:30 PM on Time Warner Cable Sports throughout Upstate New York. It'll also be replayed tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 PM. Viewers can also watch this episode online at the Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/tiogadowns).

Viewers will also see how leading trotting trainer Trond Smedshammer used a rare opportunity as a catch driver to score a six-figure stakes win with longshot Beatgoeson Hanover in the $191,000 Muscle Hill at Vernon Downs.

Plus, get a full recap of the Historic Stakes and a look ahead to closing weekend at Tioga Downs.

Pacinello sizzles in Saturday feature

Pacinello, a former record-holder at Vernon Downs, turned in a hot 1:51.1 pacing performance on a rather chilly (low 60-degree temperatures) Saturday to seize the evening's $8,400 featured pace.

Trainer Rick Plano did the teaming in Saturday's sixth race as the fleet-footed Pacinello raced like he was the best, and proved it with a front-striding, 2-1/2 length victory over No Monkeys Allowed, the closest of his six competitors.

It was the fourth score this season and the 31^st all-time for the 6-year-old son of Little Steven-Princess Kiara, who raised his career bankroll to $327,485 for the D&E Racing Stable.

Defending Downs driving champ Jimmy Whittemore collected three Vernon victories for the sixth time at the local meeting during Saturday's 12-race card, while current driving kingpin Plano posted a pair of first-place finishes, as did visiting driver Greg Merton.  

DOWNS DOINGS—Pacinello held the Vernon record for aged pacing horses on the basis of his 1:50.2 mile in July of 2011…Plano's double raised his meet-leading driving win total to 104 after 67 programs, and his training count to 54.  He currently leads in two-win outings at the meet with 14…Vernon will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week…The Downs will continue to offer afternoon and evening simulcasts at the track only on live racing dates.  All Sunday through Wednesday simulcasts will be held in the hotel's simulcast facility…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Hot Shot Blue Chip Upsets Chapter Seven, Mister Herbie in Credit Winner

Hot Shot Blue Chip recorded the fastest trotting mile of the season during Friday's "End of Summer Showdown" night at Vernon Downs.

Hot Shot Blue Chip turned in a career-best 1:51.2 performance in the $200,000 Credit Winner Open trot that was the fastest trotting mile of the season at Vernon Downs, and it came within one tick of the timer of the 59-year-old Vernon standard for the diagonal gait, that was set by San Pail last year.

 

Hot Shot Blue Chip finishes fastest to win $200,000 Credit Winner

Other notable winners during Friday's 10-race pari-mutuel program were Beatgoeson Hanover, who won the $191,000 Muscle Hill aged mare trot in 1:54, Canary Island, who equaled the season's swiftest clocking by a 2-year-old filly pacer with her 1:52.2 tally in the $64,600 Debutante Stake, and Jocelyn Lavigne, who rode the trotter My Irish Molly to a 2:02.2 victory in a non-betting, racing under saddle exhibition event during the track's 66^th program.

Corey Callahan, making his Downs debut, sat in for trainer Jonas Czernyson as Hot Shot Blue Chip rallied from third in the early going, challenged for the lead in the final furlong and trotted on to a head victory over the favorite Chapter Seven.

"With a four-horse field, I knew we'd get our shot," said Callahan following the sixth race. "My horse was tight and ready to race coming off his 1:52.3 victory at Pocono Downs on September 3, so I was content to stay in third until the final turn.  Things worked out well, as I was able to pass Chapter Seven in the stretch and keep my horse alive to the finish."

The sensational score was the third this season and the 19^th all-time for the Thomas Dillon-owned 6-year-old son of Revenue S-Hustle N Muscle, who lifted his career winning to $1,074,492.

Beatgoeson Hanover upsets $191,000 Muscle Hill

Two races later, Trond Smedshammer guided Beatgoeson Hanover to an upset victory in the Muscle Hill contest.  Racing fifth at the half-way mark, the 4-year-old mare took to the outside, rallied up to fourth entering the homestretch, and then powered on (last quarter in :27.4) to a three-quarter length decision over Four Damsals.  The mile-cutting favorite Cedar Dove finished sixth.

"Things worked out well for her and me," Smedshammer told Jason Settlemoir and the crowd in the winner's circle. "I let her follow advancing horses into the top of the stretch, and she just took over from there."

Friday's first-place finish for the bay daughter of Andover Hall-Beat The Wheel was the fifth this term and 18^th all-time.  R. "Nifty" Norman conditions the career winner of $898,660 for owner Neven N. Botica.  The time was four-fifths of a second off her lifetime win record.

Canary Island, leaving from the outside four post in race three, was first to the quarter, got shuffled back to third entering the payoff patch, and then rallied in the final sixteenth for a career-best effort, that tied Summertime Lea at 1:52.2 for the fastest mile by a first-year filly on the lateral gait at this point in the track's 59^th season.  Jody Jamieson piloted the bay daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Duck Duck Goose as she collected her second score in nine starts for trainer Rick Zeron and the Rick Zeron and Hutt Racing stables.

 

"She displayed the most pop in the stretch and it served her well tonight," observed Jamieson after the evening's third race."

A field of nine women riders went to the starting gate for the racing under saddle exhibition trotting race following Friday's second pari-mutuel event.  Jocelyn Lavigne, a regular trainer with two victories at the Downs this season, and her charge, My Irish Molly, took over the top spot from Mr. Go (Tara Hynes up) after the quarter and they continued on to a head triumph over the fast-closing, but off-stride Sundowner Bob (ridden by Katie Currie). It marked the first win this season for the 7-year-old mare, who is owned by Donn Lewandrowski.  

Driver Chris Lems logged three wins during Friday's card, including the ninth and 10^th events, to earn his ninth triple of the meet.  Noted reinsman Tim Tetrick posted his second double of the local season, while trainer Edgar Clarke also made two visits to Vernon's winner's circle during the evening.

DOWNS DOINGS—Whispur, who recorded his sixth score of the meet with Tetrick teaming for owner/trainer Tracy Brainard in Friday's fifth event, tied fellow trotter My Buddy Hall Lee and the pacers Steuben Ruthless and Mia's Star for most equine victories at the five-month-old meet…Five of Friday's 10 first-place finishers earned fresh speed marks…Leading driver Rick Plano (102 victories) guided the sophomore pacing filly R U For Me to a 1:55 "maiden" victory in Friday's first race…After Sundowner Bob was disqualified and placed to fifth by the judges for being off-stride in the stretch, First Tail U See and rider Ashley Eldred were moved up to the runner-up slot in the racing under saddle trotting exhibition event…Saturday night's 12-race Vernon card will begin at 6:55…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Drink the Wine, Pine Credit win Historic Stakes

Drink The Wine and Pine Credit won divisions of Thursday night's $138,196 Historic Stakes for 2-year-old trotters, while driver Jim Morrill, Jr. collected six victories during the 65^th program of the year at Vernon Downs.

Chris Lems sat in for trainer R. "Nifty" Norman in a non-betting distaff Acorn Stake event during the middle of Thursday's 12-race pari-mutuel program and piloted Drink The Wine to a career-fastest 1:57.3 victory .  The front-striding, 2-1/2 length score over My America Bi marked the third tally in six starts for the bay daughter of Andover Hall-Naked Lyric, who has earned more than $65,800 for Canadian owners Melvin Hartman and R A W Equine, Inc.

The freshman male Historic representatives of the diagonal gait competed in Thursday's E. H. Harriman Cup, seventh session on Vernon's betting card.  Pine Credit, fresh from a 1:59.3 victory in a New York State Fair event here on Aug. 25, continued his winning ways with a lifetime-quickest 1:56.4 triumph.  Lewayne Miller did the steering for trainer Erv Miller as the bay son of Credit Winner-Ms. Piggy Pine rallied overland from sixth at the half and closed from fifth in the final furlong to defeat the Morrill, Jr.-steered Sailer Eddie by three-quarters of a length.  With a pair of first-place finishes in seven starts, the capable colt has returned $48,477 to owners Mary Jane Anderson, Harvey Eisman and the Ervin Miller Stable.

 

Morrill, Jr. won the second, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth and 12^th events to chalk up six scores for the fourth time this season at the Downs.  Only he and Tim Tetrick (once) have hit this high mark at Vernon in 2012.

Driver Lems and trainers Tracy Brainard and Jeff Johnson, Jr. each recorded a pair of first-place finishes during Thursday program.

DOWNS DOINGS—Leading driver Rick Plano posted his 101^st tally behind the trotter Dream Ticket in Thursday's first event...Trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer steered the frosh trotting filly Vintage Oaks to her initial pari-mutuel victory and a 1:58.1 record in Thursday's 11^th race… In addition to the $200,000 Credit Winner Open trot and the $191,000 Muscle Hill Open mare trot tomorrow night (Sept. 7), the Downs will also present a Historic Series contest (the Debutante Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers) during Friday's 10-race card, an exhibition race under saddle, and conclude its "End Of Summer Showdown" by giving away a 2012 Toyota Yaris automobile.  There will also be a concert (Beadle Brothers) in Founders Park starting at 4 p.m., plus a horse toy giveaway (beginning at 6 p.m.), a petting zoo, inflatable slide, carnival food, a magician, caricature drawing and more.  First post will be at 6:55 p.m.…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Plano wins his 100th of the season

Top driver Rick Plano posted his 100^th win of the season at Vernon Downs following a 1:52.3 journey behind his wife's (Maryann) pacer Hay Goodlooking in Monday afternoon's featured ninth race.

Leaving from the outside seven post against five fast and fit rivals in the Labor Day headliner, Hay Goodlooking ($6.50) raced to the front and was never headed en route to a half-length decision over the crowd wagering choice, No Monkeys Allowed.

The win also provided Plano with his 13^th double of Vernon's 64-program meeting, and his 52^nd training tally.  The 60-year-old horseman is currently tied with defending driving champ Jimmy Whittemore for the lead in two-score outings at the Downs in 2012, and deadlocked at 52 with Tracy Brainard, last season's training titleist, atop the track's conditioning chart.

The game-going performance marked the second Vernon victory, fourth season's score and 31^st lifetime win for the 6-year-old son of Art Major-Monique's Legacy, who increased his career bankroll to $460,689.

Drivers Joe Nassimos and Brian Connor also earned a pair of win credits during Monday's 11-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS—Plano and Connor each posted seven sulky scores during Vernon's Friday-Monday weekend…Trainer Whitney Bell Goodblood celebrated her birthday after a win from her pacing charge Dick N Ben in Monday's fourth event…Vernon will also offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday this week…The Downs will present a Historic Series contest for 2-year-old male and female trotters on Sept. 6…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Plano wins 4, Stir Me Up wins feature on Saturday night

Stir Me Up and Cedarridgetag were co-feature race winners on the diagonal gait during Saturday night's 12-race program at Vernon Downs.

Stir Me Up moved into the lead from fourth at the quarter in race six and continued to cut out the mile from there, winning easily in 1:55.1, to snare his second score in succession, fifth at the 63-program meeting and seventh overall.  Tyler Raymer held the reins as the 4-year-old son of Classic Photo-Dirty Martini earned his second Vernon victory of 2012 and increased his career earnings to $43,780 for owner Vito Cucci.

Two races later, Cedarridgetag carved out a front-striding 1:56.4 triumph for driver Jimmy Whittemore, trainer/part-owner Scott West and Katie Currie.  The neck victory over Franklin M Hanover was the second in succession, fourth at the meet and sixth overall for the 4-year-old son of Tagliabue-T W Linda, who increased his lifetime bankroll to $32,923.   

Saturday's swiftest mile was a 1:52.3 pacing performance in race five, which helped Whittemore attain his meet-leading 13^th driving double.  Dave Jannone conditions the 3-year-old son of American Ideal-Tuffenuff for owners Michelle C. and Albert C. Crawford.

Driver Rick Plano picked up four tallies during the night to raise his meet-leading total of first-place finishes to 98.  Brian Connor, who earned three wins here on Friday, secured his eighth double at the Downs on Saturday.  

DOWNS DOINGS—After capturing Saturday's opener with Tough Touch, Plano closed out the program with first-place finishes in Saturday's last three races.  It marked the fourth time this season that the 60-year-old Frankfort, NY-native has won four Vernon races on a single program.  He currently trails only top trainer Tracy Brainard, 52-50, on the track's conditioning chart…The Downs will present a special Labor Day matinee program at 1:15 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 3).  Vernon will also offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Do Me Honor Re-Rallies to take Friday feature

Do Me Honor staged a comeback in the final furlong to capture Friday night’s $11,000 Open contest for female pacers at Vernon Downs.

Assigned the outside seven post in Friday's featured ninth race, the favorite Do Me Honor ($4.20), challenged Southwest for the lead at the quarter, timed in :26.3, took command entering the backstretch and led through the half, timed in :55.2 and three-quarters, clocked in 1:23.3.  The first time Vernon starter gave up the lead briefly to Glam Cam entering the stretch drive, but then re-energized and came on to earn a head decision over the fast-closing Southwest.

Do Me Honor, who has finished no worse than second in her last six starts (including three scores), picked up victory number seven this season and 12 lifetime.  Trainer Tyler Raymer did the teaming for owner William Bercury as the determined 4-year-old daughter of Cheyenne Rei-Do Me Right equaled her 1:51.3 lifetime record and increased her career earnings to more than $175,300.

Brian Connor drove three winners during Friday's 12-race program, while Frank Davis and Roman Lopez each collected two first-place finishes during the track's 62^nd program.   

DOWNS DOINGS—Leading reinsman Rick Plano bumped his win total to 94 and his second-place training tally to 50 after a 1:52.3 tally behind the pacer Windows Online in Friday's second session…Provisional pilot Gary D. Gibson picked up his second victory of the meeting behind Josephine Hodge's pacer Guitars Tiki Bars (1:54) in race eight…Marvin Meyer's trotter Rothschild (Joe Nassimos steering for trainer Gary Bryant) earned his first career triumph after a 2:00.4 performance in Friday's 10^th contest…Saturday's 12-race program, which includes the final of the track's Million Dollar Ball Drop promotion, will begin at 6:55 p.m…The Downs has a matinee program planned for 1:15 p.m. on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3)…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.