Bluffton (Homer Hochstetler) scored a harness racing victory in the $6,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (September 13).
Bold Fresh (Jimmy Whittemore) went to the lead and led to the first quarter in :27.2. Bluffton ($6.50) took over the lead as they reached the backstretch putting Bold Fresh to the pocket seat. Bluffton led to the half in :57.2 and to three-quarters in 1:27.0.
Bluffton, who is trained by Homer Hochstetler for owners Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig, and Allen Schwartz, led as they made the turn for home. He would hold off a late charge by second place finisher Multitaskr Hanover (Jennifer Lappe) to win in 1:56.0, Spoiler Alert (Howard Parker) finished third.
Bluffton is a 4-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass. It was his fourth win this season and 10th career victory.
Aces And Eights (Dan Daley) captures $5,000 trot.
Pittstop Emerald (Claude Huckabone III) fired out of the gate and led to the quarter in :27.0 and to the half in :57.2. Aces And Eights ($18.40) went first-over from third and flew right by to take control hitting three-quarters first in 1:25.3.
Aces And Eights, who is owned by Jeffrey Epstein and trained by Daley, turned for home and cruised to a victory in 1:54.2. Simple Kaos (Jimmy Whittemore) finished second with Sailer Eddie (Jennifer Lappe) getting third best.
Aces And Eights is a 5-year-old gelding by RC Royalty. It was his third win this season. He now owns nine career victories.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (September 14) with an 11 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com
by John Horne, for Vernon Downs