Vernon, N.Y. — Making steady progress from just worse than midfield, Fleetwood Hall ($5.30) pushed clear of pacesetter Yankee Manny in mid-stretch to capture the featured $7,000 top-level conditioned trot on Saturday (August 29) evening at Vernon Downs.
Fleetwood Hall settled well off the pace in the initial stages, posing no threat until the middle stages of the race, when a first-over bid placed the 5-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe gelding within 3-3/4 lengths of pacesetter Yankee Manny (Chris Lems) after a soft :58.4 half mile. Roman Lopez and Fleetwood Hall intensified the pressure on Yankee Manny coming off the far turn, forcing a :28.2 third quarter before ultimately pushing clear in mid-stretch. Fleetwood Hall drew off to a two-length victory over Yankee Manny, while Frisky Joe (Claude Huckabone, III) rallied late to take third from a tiring Ulster (Brian Russo).
Deedra Johnson trains Fleetwood Hall for the M T Stables, Inc.
Chris Lems led all drivers with four wins on the 10-race program.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Sunday (August 30) afternoon, with post time at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.
by James Witherite, Vernon Downs