Vernon, N.Y. — After taking charge off the clubhouse turn, Express Jet ($7.90) controlled the terms and held off a late charge from Love You Bye to take Friday (July 31) evening's $7000 harness racing upper-level conditioned distaff pace at Vernon Downs.
Trainer-driver John MacDonald secured the pocket with Express Jet in the early stages of the race, tightening in behind Aritzia Hanover (Truman Gale) through a :27 first quarter. Soon after, the 6-year-old Jereme's Jet mare took charge, pulling the tempo back through a :59.4 middle half. At the top of the stretch, Express Jet accelerated clear, leaving Aritzia Hanover well in her wake. Love You Bye (Jimmy Whittemore) found room in upper stretch to make a late push forward, but Express Jet held sway by 1-1/2 lengths to prevail in 1:54.3. Love You Bye was a strongly-closing second, while Asset Management (Fern Paquet, Jr.) kicked stalled cover and rallied stoutly to take third.
The J P Stables and Crawford Partners, LLC own Express Jet.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 1) evening, with post time at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
by James Witherite, Vernon Downs