Ongoing Royalty captured Friday’s $8,700 featured trot at Vernon Downs thanks to a slick steer from Steeven Genois.
Lepanto (Jeff Sorenson) led to the first quarter in :26.4. He used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.2. Lion On Landon (Truman Gale) came first-up going around the final turn and led to three-quarters in 1:27:.
As they reached the stretch Ongoing Royalty ($27) made a three-wide move and blew right on by to win easily in 1:56. Lion On Landon had to settle for second. Adagio De La tour (John MacDonald) finished third.
Ongoing Royalty is a five-year-old gelding by Royalty For Life. He is owned by Philippe Trudeau and trainer Fannie Saul-Beaulieu. It was his sixth win this season and the 11th victory of his career.
Genois and Truman Gale drove three winners on the card. Genois got his other wins with Siros Blue Chip ($3.60) and Fancy Knows ($7.60). Gale won with Stirling Ensign ($8.80), Jeannies Terror ($9.30) and Watchwhatmyfeetdo (($12.60).
Frank Affrunti leads all drivers for the Winning Wheels driver of the year with 62 wins. Steeven Genois is second with 59 tallies. Leon Bailey is third with 47 victories. Barton Dalious is fourth with 46 wins. Truman Gale and John MacDonald are tied for fifth with 30 victories.
Karin Warner leads all trainers with 51 wins. Misty Carey is second best with 28 trips to the winner’s circle. Jeff Sorenson (27), Jessica Okusko (26), and David Dewhurst (22) round out the top five.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday with a 10-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.
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