The pacer Cowboy Hanover, as well as drivers Lon Frocione and Stephen Oldford shared the limelight during Saturday night's 12-race program at Vernon Downs. With trainer Rick Plano at controls, Cowboy Hanover converted a draft along journey into a 1:52.1 victory in Saturday's $9,000 sixth race, the week's top Miracle Mile contest for representatives of the lateral gait.
The evening's fastest clocking resulted in the third Vernon victory, sixth season's score and 27th lifetime triumph for the 6-year-old son of Western Ideal-Castanet Hall, who is shared in ownership by Dave Haness and Maryann Plano (Rick's wife).
Frocione and Oldford each earned divisional tallies in Vernon's initial 2010 leg of the C.K.G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters.
Frocione guided Dusty Diamond to a front-striding 1:59.1 victory for trainer Jessica Okusko, and owners Anthony Peters and Mark Vanko in Saturday's $3,500 first race, while owner-trainer Oldford traveled to central New York from Michigan and steered Pierre Lavec to a fast-closing, 1:58 win in the $3,500 third event.
Claude Huckabone, III collected three driving victories during the track's 57th program, while Plano and Chris Lems each piloted a pair of first-place finishers.
DOWNS DOINGS-Vernon has another barnstorming Billings leg scheduled for Saturday night, Sept. 25...The Downs will offer live racing Thursday-Saturday nights next week, first post 6:55, followed by a 1:15 matinee card on Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 6...Thursday's (Sept. 2) program will feature Vernon's leg of the Miss Versatility Series for veteran trotting mares...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Driver Roman Lopez used a 1:56 victory by Sundowner Bob in the $9,000 featured ninth race on Friday night to record his initial triple of the season at Vernon Downs. Following victories behind Brian Earl Doolittle's trotter Naughty Broadway (1:59.2) in the first race, and Don Brainard's high-stepper Peaceful Prince (1:58) in the seventh session, Lopez guided Sundowner Bob to a front-striding, neck triumph over the on-rushing Gladiator Lindy in the week's top Miracle Mile trotting contest.
The favorite paid $5.70 for finishing first.
The bold-going performance marked the third tally at the meet and 31st all-time for trainer Scott West's 9-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Pine Potion, who hiked his lifetime earnings to more than $394,300.
In Friday's third test, catch-driver Rick Plano, doing the steering for trainer Dave Jannone, piloted Brenda Komers' freshman Diamond Star to a 1:54.3 maiden-breaking victory that proved to be the fastest locally this season by a 2-year-old pacing gelding.
The time was just 2/5ths of a second off the track record for this class, shared by Three Card Monte (1998) and Four Starz Louie (2007).
Plano earned a driving double during Friday's 11-race program, as did defending dash champ Jimmy Whittemore.
DOWNS DOINGS-Lopez also owns a driving double at the meet...Saturday's 12-race offering includes two divisions of the C.K.G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters (races one and three), as well as the week's top Miracle Mile pacing contest (race six). First post will be at 6:55 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
The precocious, still unbeaten freshman See You At Peelers posted a 1:51.3 track record and her seventh straight score in the opening division of Saturday night's $135,624 New York Sires Stakes feature for 2-year-old filly pacers at Vernon Downs. With Marcus Johansson steering for trainer Jimmy Takter, See You At Peelers shot out for the early lead, then drafted in second behind Drop The Ball until deep stretch, before regaining the top spot and winning by 1-1/4 lengths. She paid $7.30 for finishing first.
It was the second straight tally at Vernon for the talented bay daughter of Bettor's Delight-West Side Glory, who is shared in ownership by Christina Takter (Jimmy's wife), John and Jim Fielding. The career winner of nearly $90,000 trimmed 4/5ths-of-a-second off the previous Downs standard for her age, sex and gait, which was established by My Girl's A Star eight nights earlier.
Saturday's other NYSS divisional winners were Asteria Blue Chip (Bettor's Delight-Weeping Wanabe), in 1:53.1 for driver Jeff Gregory, trainer Linda Toscano and the Stake Your Claim 17 stable, Janet Seltzer, Glenn Silverstein and Jeffrey Scott contingent, My Girl's A Star (Art Major-Ifuwantitcumngetit), in 1:55.2 for driver Gareth Dowse, trainer Ray Schnittker and owner Mathias Meinzinger, and Southwind Jazmin (Art Major-Juliet's Fate), in 1:53.3 for driver Jack Moiseyev, trainer Mark Harder and owner Rick Phillips.
Newcomer Tarver Hanover captured his Downs debut with a front-striding 1:52.2 triumph in Saturday's $10,000 Miracle Mile-1 pace. Trainer Sam Schillaci did the steering for the Wiz Kids Stable as the 9-year-old son of Ball And Chain earned his sixth season's score, 45th lifetime victory and increased his all-time earnings to more than $721,000.
The pacer Up Front Rudy raised his meet-leading win total to eight after posting a 1:52.1 victory in Saturday's 11th event for catch-driver Jimmy Whittemore, trainer/co-owner Jody Weidman and his partner George Mathar.
DOWNS DOINGS-Following his win, Up Front Rudy was claimed for $7,000 by Don Cromer...Chris Lems, the meet's third-leading driver earned a triple during Saturday's 12-race card, while trainer Arnie Marks was credited with a double...Vernon will offer live racing at 6:55 Thursday-Saturday nights next week...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Charlie De Vie tied the season's standard for 2-year-old trotting colts, while John Paul's Legacy equaled the all-time track record for aged trotting horses during Friday night's 12-race program at Vernon Downs.
Charlie De Vie bullied his way to a front-striding 1:58.2 personal-best record while capturing Friday's $10,000 fifth race, the male division of the Kindergarten Classic Series for freshman high-steppers.
It was the first career win for the brown son of Yankee Glide-Knickers Hanover, who is driven and trained by Oyvind Hegdal and owned by the Joie De Vie Farm.
In Friday's $11,000 sixth session, John Paul's Legacy also led from start to finish for catch-driver Jimmy Whittemore, stopping the timer in 1:55.1 to capture the week's premier Miracle Mile class for representatives of the diagonal gait. It was the fifth season's score and 17th lifetime victory for the 5-year-old son of Credit Winner-Amore Vita, who is trained by Angus Mac Donald and owned by Emil Benvenuto.
Charlie De Vie's mile equaled the current colt trotting mark, set by Surface Tension on Aug. 12, while John Paul's Legacy tied the all-time horse trotting record, established by Fight Cheer in 1999.
Kindergarten Classic Series $10,000 2-year-old filly flights went to first time winners Lady Pixie (Yankee Glide-B Cor Peatra), in 2:02.1 for driver Ruel "Dude" Goodblood, Jr., trainer Larry Rathbone and the M & L Stable for Delaware, Inc., and Sacred Saint (Chocolatier-Sister Sammy), in 1:59.4 for driver/trainer Trond Smedshammer and owners Robert M and David H. Anderson.
DOWNS DOINGS-Defending driving champ Whittemore earned his seventh hat trick during Friday's 53rd program. He also scored with the trotters Ashco's Scotty (1:58.4) and Hit Me Baby (1:59)...Cool Touch's 1:55 victory in race eight was his sixth at the meet, tying him with Fox Valley Majesty for most trotting tallies through Aug. 20. Josh Marks did the teaming for owner/trainer Scott West...The pacer Up Front Rudy currently leads in equine victories at the meet with seven...Saturday night's 12-race card, which begins at 6:55, features four divisions of a $101,268 New York Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers and the week's top Miracle Mile pacing contest...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Waltrip Hanover came within two-fifths of a second of the track record for older pacing horses with his 1:51.3 showing in Saturday nights $9,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs. Leaving from post six in the seven side-wheeler Miracle Mile-2 test, Waltrip Hanover shot right to the front for driver Howard Okusko, Jr. and remained there to the half, reached in :55.2.
The Jessica Okusko-conditioned 5-year-old relinquished the lead to the betting favorite, You Bet Your Glass, until the final sixteenth, and then bounced back to win by a head.
In addition to equaling his personal speed mark, the career winner of nearly $87,000 notched his second season's score and 12th all time. Wanda Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables owns the fleet-footed son of The Panderosa-Witchin Flight, who earned his record here last season.
Driver Rick Plano captured three of Saturday's 12 races, as did veteran conditioner Howard Okusko, Sr.
Leading dash-winner Josh Marks earned a double during the track's 51st program, as did reigning provisional pilot Leon Bailey and former top P driver Chris Lems.
DOWNS DOINGS-Saturday's promotion-laden program was designated Back To The Track Night...Vernon's 1:51.1 standard for aged pacing horses was set by Goin To The Beach in 2002...The Downs will offer live harness racing Thursday-Saturday next weekend, first post at 6:55 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
The pacer My Girl's A Star and trotter Some Girls turned in track record performances during Friday night's New York State Fair program for 2-year-old distaffers at Vernon Downs. My Girl's A Star recorded a 1:52.2 triumph in Friday's opening division of a $125,650 New York State Fair contest that sliced 1/5th-of-a-second off the previous Vernon standard for 2-year-old filly pacers (set by Hula's Z Tam in 2009), while Some Girls uncorked a 1:57 mile in the second flight of the $110,840 New York-bred 2-year-old filly trot that lowered the Downs record for this class (set by Munis Blue Chip last season) by 3/5ths of a second.
Jim Morrill, Jr., who recorded five catch-driving victories during Friday's 12-race card, sat in for trainer Ray Schnittker and owner Mathias Meinzinger as My Girl's A Star (Art Major-Ifuwantitcumngetit) took charge of the third race after the opening quarter and went on to earn a personal best speed mark and her fifth victory in six starts.
Trainer and part-owner Gates Brunet did the teaming behind Some Girls (Conway Hall-Emotional Rescue), who also front-ended her way to a fresh win mark and her fifth tally in six lifetime outings.
She's also registered to Theodore Gewertz, Michael Rosenthal and Jean Brunet.
Friday's other winner in the 2-year-old filly pace were the undefeated (after six starts) See You At Peelers (Bettor's Delight-West Side Glory), in 1:53.1 for driver Morrill, Jr., trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christina Takter (Jimmy's wife), John and Jim Fielding, and Song In A Major (Art Major-Dreams Made Real), in 1:53.4 for driver Josh Marks, trainer Linda Toscano and owners Seth Coen, Fred Wallace and William Jacobowitz.
The other first-place finishers in Friday's 2-year-old filly trot were Temper Of Will (Conway Hall-Dixie Crystal), in 1:58.3 for driver Morrill, Jr., trainer Trond Smedshammer and owners Roger Slobody, Alfred Ross and Raymond W. J. Campbell, Jr., and Tap Tap Dance (Conway Hall-Suydance), in 1:57.3 for driver-trainer Dan Daley and owners Ann-Mari Daley (Dan's wife), Richard Lombardo and Murray S. Ferguson, Jr.
Newcomer Crypto Man (Morrill, Jr. steering for trainer David Dziengiel and owner Anthony Lake) captured the week's Miracle Mile-1 trot after a 1:56.2 front-ending effort in race six.
Daley and leading driver Josh Marks each recorded driving doubles during Friday's program.
DOWNS DOINGS-The State Fair races for 2-year-olds were moved to Vernon from the Syracuse Fairgrounds...The State Fair races for 3-year-olds will be contest at Tioga Downs tomorrow night (Aug. 14) and Sunday afternoon (Aug. 15)...Saturday's 12-race Vernon card will begin at 6:55 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
The pacers Feel Like A Fool and Flipper J, as well as the trotter Surface Tension produced the fastest miles of the season by male freshmen performers during Thursday night's New York State Fair racing action at Vernon Downs. Feel Like A Fool (Jim Morrill, Jr. driving for owner-trainer George Teague, Jr. and co-owner the Kovach Stables) and Flipper J (Jason Bartlett teaming for trainer Linda Toscano and owner Ken Jacobs) each won their respective divisions of the $124,320 New York Sires Stakes 2-year-old colt/gelding pace in 1:53.2, while Surface Tension (trainer Dan Daley steering for owners Ann-Mari Daley (Dan's wife), Richard Lombardo and Albert C. Crawford) captured his flight of Thursday's $122,400 New York-bred frosh trot in 1:58.2. The track condition was listed good due to a pre-program rain shower.
Thursday's other divisional winners in the State Fair 2-year-old male pace were Major Way (in 1:53.3 for driver Bartlett, trainer Toscano and owner Jacobs), Thomas J (in 1:54.3 for driver Bartlett, trainer Toscano and owner Jacobs) and Mat's Delight (in 1:55.1 for trainer, driver and co-owner Ray Schnittker, and his partner Mathias Meinzinger).
The other State Fair frosh male trotting victors were Typical Newyorker (in 1:58.3 for driver Wally Hennessey, trainer, part-owner John Hallett and fellow owners L. Michelle Oglesby and Roger Doire), Tiger's Too Good (in 1:58.4 for driver Hennessey, part-owner and trainer Joe Holloway, as well as co-owners Hugh Grant, Jr., L & L Devisser and the Val D'Or Farms), Daleydaydream (in 1:59.4 for driver/trainer Daley, and owners Ann-Mari Daley, Lombardo and Crawford), and Rarely Ordinary (in 2:00 for driver Morrill, Jr., trainer Torgeir Hagmann and owner Kjell Magne Andersen).
Delightful Dancer (Morrill, Jr. teaming for trainer Howard Okusko, Sr. and owner Rocco Manzi) won Thursday's $11,000 Miracle Mile-1 female pace in 1:54.1.
DOWNS DOINGS-The State Fair races for 2-year-olds were moved to Vernon from the Syracuse Fairgrounds...The filly Eight Bells is still the fastest 2-year-old trotter at the 49-program meeting on the basis of a 1:57.4 victory on July 30...Friday's 12-race card, which starts at 6:55 p.m., will include State Fair divisions of a 2-year-old filly trot and a 2-year-old filly pace...The State Fair races for 3-year-olds will be contest at Tioga Downs on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Jo Pa's Fod was the only favorite to finish first in Saturday night's $151,664 New York Sires Stake feature for 3-year-old male pacers at Vernon Downs. With Jim Morrill, Jr. driving for trainer Jim Campbell and the Emposimato Stables in Saturday's initial NYSS contest (race five), Jo Pa's Fod rallied from fourth at the half to reach the front by the three-quarter mark, and then had to tough out a nose decision over the pocket-sitting Jimmy Hanover in 1:52.1.
The gritty performance marked the second NYSS score and third this season for the bay son of Art Major-Athena Blue Chip, who has secured five wins, a 1:51.2 record and $144,201 in 20 lifetime starts.
Saturday's unexpected NYSS winners were Joey The Czar (in 1:51.3 for driver Jimmy Whittemore, trainer Bruce Saunders and owner Kevin Gee); Erichs Best (in 1:53.2 for driver Fern Paquet, Jr., trainer Jamie Paquet and owner Erich Boehm); and Flexjet (in 1:54.4 for driver Brian Allen, trainer Chet Poole, Jr., who is also an owner along with Norman Kelapire, Deborah Chase and Winbak Farm).
Joey The Czar turned a draft-along trip into a ¾-length victory and a personal best record. It was the sixth season's score and eighth lifetime victory for the bay son of Art Major-Razmataz Hanover.
Erichs Best, a bay son of Pro Bono Best-T C's Ruler, closed from seventh in a :27.1 final quarter to produce a one-length tally, his fifth lifetime triumph (all this year), as well as a fresh win-mark.
Flexjet advanced from eighth (last) at the half and hustled home from sixth in the final quarter to record a 1-1/2-length verdict. It was the third current victory and eighth career success for the brown son of Village Jove-No Sweets Please.
Diamond Stick Pin (Howard Okusko, Jr. steering for trainer Jessica Okusko (his wife) and the Conrad Zurich, Edwin Gold and Purple Haze Stables ownership contingent, captured the week's $11,000 Miracle Mile pace in 1:52.4.
DOWNS DOINGS-Living It Up's 1:51.3 victory in Saturday's first race was just 2/5ths-of-a-second off the Vernon record for aged pacing horses...Driver and trainer Rick Plano won three of Saturday's 12 races, while Josh Marks and Brian Allen each chalked up driving doubles...The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Skad's Winner and Bet The Ranch were co-featured victors during Thursday night's 11-race program at Vernon Downs. Skad's Winner eked out a 1:56.2 triumph in Thursday's $10,000 sixth race, the week's top Miracle Mile trotting contest, while Bet The Ranch uncorked a 1:51.1 tally in the $11,000 ninth event, the week's MM-1 handicap for female pacers.
Bill Bailey steered Skad's Winner for trainer Ann Yurenka and owner Mary Apker. The sure-footed 5-year-old son of Broadway Hall-Angela Lane closed from fourth in the final quarter to move past the pacesetting Armbro Doyle with a head bob in the final stride. The nose decision marked the fourth season's score and 11th all-time for the gritty gelding that has earned more than $208,000 during his productive career.
Howard Okusko, Jr. was behind Bet The Ranch, guiding the quick-striding 5-year-old mare to a solid, front-striding score three races later. The 3-1/4-length verdict resulted in a personal best record, the sixth local victory and 26th lifetime triumph for the bay daughter of Bettor's Delight-Silksandiamonds, who is registered to Edwin Gold and Conrad Zurich. Defending conditioning champ Jessica Okusko (Howard's wife) trains the career winner of $216,917.
Former Downs provisional champ Chris Lems continued his hot streak, recording three first-place driving and training triumphs (Yessir Thatsmybaby, Onedayatatime and Won Night Stand), while the meet's current driving kingpin Josh Marks also recorded three victories, two (Cool Touch and Striking Rich) for owner and trainer Scott West.
DOWNS DOINGS-After 46 Vernon programs, Bet The Ranch is just one win behind the pacer Up Front Rudy for top honors in equine victories, while Cool Touch is currently tied at five with Fox Valley Majesty for most tallies by a diagonally-gaited performer...There will be no live racing at the Downs on Friday (Aug. 6) due to a Clint Black concert at 8 p.m. However, the track will offer its regular simulcasting slate in the lower clubhouse...Live racing returns at 6:55 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 7)...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Leading driver Josh Marks went from scheduled onlooker to five-race winner during Monday afternoon's special make-up program at Vernon Downs. Not programmed for any event on Monday's 12-race card at the start of the day, Marks suddenly found himself catch-driving in 11 events, including the day's $10,000 featured ninth contest with track record-holder Stonebridge Wish.
Leaving from the outside five post, the favorite Stonebridge Wish wired the Miracle Mile-1 field in convincing fashion, scoring in 1:52 to secure his third local tally and 11th lifetime victory. He paid $4.20 to win.
Tracy Brainard's owned and trained 7-year-old son of Camluck-Star Crusher had cruised to a 1:59.4 triumph on June 5 that rewrote the Vernon record for aged pacing geldings, and tied the all-time track standard, established by the pacer My Little Dragon in 2008.
Marks and Brainard also combined to capture Monday's Miracle Mile-2 contest with He Means Business (in 1:51.4), the MM-3 class with Revolutionary Foe (1:52), and a $4,000 claiming race with Fit Happens (1:55).
Marks also won MM-4 event with Lightning Prince (1:51.2) for trainer Jennifer Sansone and owner James Topper. At the half-way mark (45 programs) in Vernon's 57th season, the 2008 champ (114 victories) leads in wins with 95, while Brainard, who established a local conditioning record with 101 wins in 2008, tops all trainers with 42 first-place finishes.
Defending driving champ Jimmy Whittemore, currently second in this year's standings with 55 victories, won two of Monday's 12 races, as did former Downs provisional driving kingpin Chris Lems, who is third presently in first-place finishes at the meet with 48.
DOWNS DOINGS-Marks, who achieved his 1,000th career win here on June 4, shares the Vernon record of seven victories on a single program with Jim Morrill, Jr., who set the mark in 2008...Monday's card replaced a previously schedule program on Friday (Aug. 6), which has since been dedicated to a Clint Black concert at 8 p.m...Marks replaced previously programmed drivers Tim Tetrick (nine races) and Claude Huckabone, III (two) on Monday's card...The Downs will offer its regular simulcasting slate this Friday, and live programs at 6:55 on Thursday (Aug. 5) and Saturday (Aug. 7) nights...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
undowner Bob secured a training double for owner Scott West and a triple for leading driver Josh Marks with a 1:56.1 triumph in Saturday night's $11,000 featured seventh race at Vernon Downs. Leaving from the outside nine post in the week's top Miracle Mile trotting contest, Sundowner Bob challenged for the lead from the start, took charge in Vernon's clubhouse curve and then cruised to a three-quarter length decision over Unshakeable.
As second choice in the betting, he paid $5.70 to win.
It was the second season's score (second in his last three starts) and 30th all-time for the 8-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Pine Potion, who increased his lifetime earnings to more than $389,800.
West also owns and conditions the trotter Cool Touch, who produced a 1:56.3 victory for Marks in Saturday's fifth race.
Marks also won with the trotting newcomer Current Ca Ching, conditioned by Paul Kulls, Jr. for owner Gil Chip Lawyer, en route to his ninth hat trick at the 44-program meet.
DOWNS DOINGS-Owner/trainer Leon Cable chalked up his first Vernon victory when Whiteland Will trotted to a 1:58.3 victory for driver Jimmy Whittemore in Saturday's second race...Michael Miller, the meet's second-leading provisional driver (behind Leon Bailey), notched his fourth win of the local campaign after Pacific Wave trotted to a 1:57.3 tally in Saturday's third test...The Downs will present a special 12-race, all pacing make up program (for a Clint Black concert here on Friday, Aug. 6) at 1:15 p.m. this Monday (Aug. 2)...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
The highly regarded 2-year-old trotting filly Jezzy remained undefeated after five lifetime starts after her 1:58.2 performance in Friday night's $134,150 New York Sires Stakes feature at Vernon Downs. With part owner and trainer Ray Schnittker in the sulky, Jezzy charged to the lead from third in the clubhouse curve and never looked back en route to a 6-3/4 length score that raised her lifetime winnings to $95,072.
The brown daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind is also shared in ownership by breeder Jeff Gural (Little E, LLC CNY), Jerry Silva and Theodore Gewertz. She earned her 1:57.3 record in the Acorn Stake at The Meadowlands (NJ) on June 30.
Friday's other NYSS divisional winners were Eight Bells, in 1:57.4 for the SGS Partners; Miss Sue V, in 1:58.1 for the Kelley Racing Stable and William Weaver, III; Epona Blue Chip, in 1:59.2 for the Epona Stable and Carme Blue Chip, in 2:00.2 for the Carme Stable.
Eight Bells (Conway Hall-Ella Minnow Pea) remains unbeaten after two NYSS starts. Her time was just one-fifth-of-a-second off the all-time Vernon record for this age, sex and gait.
Carme Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Sir Dream) also sports a pair of NYSS scores among her three career tallies.
Miss Sue V (Credit Winner-Sunday Yankee), who eked out a head triumph over Tap Tap Dance, is still perfect in two NYSS outings, while Epona Blue Chip (Conway Hall-Hustle N Muscle) has also collected a pair of NYSS victories after four official trips to the track.
Schnittker, who also guided Epona Blue Chip and Carme Blue Chip into Vernon's winner's circle, was credited with a driving and training triple during Friday's nine-race program.
DOWNS DOINGS-Munis Blue Chip owns the 1:57.3 Vernon standard for this class, which was set last September...Greg Powell drove Eight Bells for trainer Chuck Sylvester, while Brian Mattison teamed Miss Sue V for trainer Paul Kelley...The 2-year-old filly pacer All About Kisses (Pro Bono Best-Cheerful Outlook) made her career debut a winning one after a 1:57.1 effort in Friday's fifth event...Saturday's nine-race card, which includes an $11,000 Miracle Mile trot in event seven, will get started at 6:55 p.m...The Downs will present a special 12-race make up matinee program starting at 1:15 p.m. this Monday (Aug. 2)...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Cowboy Hanover rustled up a 1:52.3 victory in Saturday night's $9,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs. Competing in a persistent rain and over a "sloppy" track, Cowboy Hanover advanced from fifth to fourth while Waltrip Hanover paced the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3.
With Luke Plano driving, the oily-gaited 6-year-old gelding steamed home in a :27.2 final quarter to defeat the on-rushing Stettin Hanover by a nose.
Waltrip Hanover finished 1-1/2 lengths back in third.
It was the second straight score in Vernon's Miracle Mile-2 class for the bay son of Western Ideal-Castanet Hall, who is shared in ownership by Maryann Plano and David Haness. As the wagering favorite, he paid $4.20 to win.
It marked the fifth season's score and the 26th career victory for the California ship-in, who hiked his lifetime winnings to $148,657.
Trainer Rick Plano also won the evening's first race with Sheldon Perry's pacer The Godfather to secure a conditioning double on the night.
Former Downs provisional driving champion Chris Lems collected four wins during Saturday's 11-race card. He finished first with the pacers Kiss Me Nice (1:55.4), Soldier Boy (1:53.3), How Forever Feels (1:53) and Joey P (1:54.2) to increase his victory credits to 42 after 41 programs.
DOWNS DOINGS-Vernon will offer life racing at 6:55 Thursday-Saturday nights next week...
Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com
Airzoom Lindy posted the fastest trotting mile of the 40-program meeting and a track record for 4-year-old diagonally gaited horses with his 1:54.1 triumph in Friday night's $11,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs. Trainer Frank Antonacci was on hand to drive Airzoom Lindy in his first official start of 2010.
Leaving from post six, the well-bred son of Cantab Hall-True Diva followed Sharpshootennorris to the quarter, timed in :28 seconds over a "good" track, then took charge and remained of the lead en route to a 1-3/4-length triumph in the week's Miracle Mile-1 contest.
The eye-popping performance trimmed three-fifths of a second off the previous meet standard for high-steppers, and four-fifths of a second off the track's all-time mark, set by Diamond Goal in 2002.
It was the fifth lifetime tally for the career-winner of $206,609, who is owned by the Lindy Racing Stable (his breeder) and Robert Rudolph. He paid $4.10 for finishing first.
The M&L of Delaware stable's Ladystar delivered the meet's swiftest mile by a 2-year-old filly pacer after her 1:56.2 triumph in Friday's $2,900 second event. Chris Lems did the catch-driving for trainer Larry Rathbone as the brown daughter of Bettor's Delight-Forever Cam chalked up a win record and her first score in three official trips to the track.
Friday's fastest mile was a 1:53 showing by newcomer Here Comes Kris (trainer Kevin Hough driving for himself and Kelly Hough) in the $3,000 first race. The 5-year-old pacer's lifetime best mile resulted in his third season's score.
DOWNS DOINGS-Fox Valley Majesty became the first five-time winning trotter at the meet following his 1:57.3 victory for leading driver Josh Marks and top trainer Tracy Brainard (also the 9-year-old claimer's owner) in Friday's fourth event...Southwind Samirai and Armbro Doyle had shared the season's swiftest trotting time prior to Airzoom Lindy's quick clocking...The pacing colt Samandar remains the fastest freshman of 2010 on the strength of his 1:55.4 mile on July 3... Defending dash champ Jimmy Whittemore raised his current win total here to 50 after a driving double during Friday's 11-race card...Saturday night's 11-race program, which features the week's top pacing events, will begin at 6:55 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
The winning continued for driver Dan Daley and Daley Deposit Only in Saturday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs. Daley, who delivered a pair of first-place finishes here last night (July 16), piloted Daley Deposit Only to a repeat victory in the week's Miracle Mile-1 pacing feature.
After spurting to the early lead, Daley Deposit Only allowed Stonebridge Wish to take command and lead the select field to a third split in 1:25. The quick-striding 5-year-old gelding powered out of the pocket in the final furlong and rallied to post a two-length victory in 1:52.4.
Saturday's score was the fourth at the Downs and the 10th this season for the homebred bay son of Artiscape-Sassy Cessiann, who is shared in ownership by breeder Ann-Mari Daley (Dan's wife), Jared Daley, Robert Pergament and Richard Lombardo. It was the 22nd career tally for the lifetime winner of $220.854, who earned his 1:50.4 record here on July 5.
Cowboy Hanover (Luke Plano driving for trainer Rick Plano, plus owners Dave Haness and Maryann Plano), and Mata Harry (Chris Lems steering for trainer Kevin Gould and owner Elliot Misshula) shared honors for Saturday's fastest mile, each stopping the timer in 1:51.3.
Lems also won with Patty's Courage to log his eighth double of the meet, while Rick Plano was credited with a pair of training tallies.
DOWNS DOINGS-Leon Bailey, Vernon's top provisional driver again this year, secured his 16th season's score after a 1:56.1 trip behind Ehi Guaglione in Saturday's 12 race...The Downs will offer live racing Thursday-Saturday next week, with first post at 6:55 p.m....Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Armbro Doyle remained king-of-the-trotting-hill at Vernon Downs following a 1:56.2 victory in Friday night's $11,000 featured ninth race. Fresh off a 1:57.2 triumph in last Saturday's Miracle Mile-1 class here, Armbro Doyle raced as if he was the best and proved it with a front striding, 1-1/2 score over Skad's Winner in this week's top trotting test.
As second choice in the wagering, he paid $7.20 to win.
Chuck Connor, Jr. drove for owner and trainer Scott West as the 7-year-old son of King Conch-Accompaniment secured his third season's score (all at the Downs) and 18th overall, while lifting his career earnings to nearly $260,000.
Drivers Dan Daley (Miss Conway in 1:58.1 and Cider With Ice in 1:56.3) and Rick Plano (Sweet Baby Jane in 1:58 and Mr. Friendly in 1:57.3) each posted doubles during Friday's 10-race program.
DOWNS DOINGS-Armbro Doyle and Southwind Samurai remained tied at 1:54.4 for the meet's fastest trotting miles after 37 programs. Stonebridge Wish's 1:49.4 track record pacing clocking is still tops at the Downs in 2010...Saturday's 12-race card, which includes the Miracle Mile-1 pace in race nine, will get underway at 6:55 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Delightful Dancer displayed the most foot in the homestretch while capturing Thursday night's $8,000 featured sixth race in 1:53.1 at Vernon Downs . Chuck Connor, Jr. did the driving for veteran conditioner Howard Okusko, Sr. as Delightful Dancer laid back in the early going, came overland from third at the half, and then closed from second in the final furlong to catch and defeat the pace-setting Chantal Hall by a little more than two lengths in the week's top test for female pacers.
As the favorite, Delightful Dancer paid $4.80 for finishing first.
It was the third season's score (all at Vernon) and 10th overall tally for the 4-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight-Dragon's Georgette, who is owned by Rocco Manzi. Her career bankroll now stands at $87,418.
Chris Lems and Brian Connor (Chuck's son) each recorded a pair of victories during Thursday's nine-race card.
DOWNS DOINGS-Fox Valley Majesty tied Sharpshootennorris and Oven Ready at four for most trotting victories at the meet following his 1:59.3 tally in Thursday's third contest. The pacer Up Front Rudy leads in total equine victories after 36 programs with seven scores...Lems drove Patricia Crawford's homebred sophomore filly trotter Yessir Thatsmybaby to a 1:58.4 maiden-breaking victory in Thursday's first event...Friday's 10-race program, which features the week's top trotting events, will get underway at 6:55 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
The still-improving Daley's Interest continued his rise in the Miracle Mile pacing ranks with a career-best 1:53.1 victory in Monday afternoon's special 11-race program at Vernon Downs. Trainer Dan Daley was at the controls in Monday's sixth race as Daley's Interest powered three wide around the final turn, and then zipped home (final quarter :27.2) from fourth at the head of the lane to defeat the on-rushing Touch Of The Past by a neck in division two of the weekly MM class for top flight representatives of the lateral gait.
While trimming a full second off his previous win-mark, the 3-year-old homebred son of Modern Art-Sassy Cessiann earned his second straight score (he won the MM-3 contest here on July 5) and his fourth all-time for breeder Ann-Mari Daley and her partners Richard Lombardo and Jared Daley.
The career-winner of more than $27,000 paid $44.80 to win, $11.20 to place and $3.80 to show.
Fastest mile-of-the-day honors went to Lewis Rosselli, Jr.'s pacer Miracle Freeluck, who recorded his third win at the meet after a 1:52.2 mile for driver Brian Connor and trainer Brandon Loomis in race 10, the day's MM-3 contest.
Former Vernon provisional driving champ Chris Lems, who ranks third in the track's current standing with 33 victories, collected his second hat-trick at the meet after finishing first with the pacers Quick Step (1:56.3), Dot's Bigboy (1:54.3) and Onedayatatime (1:54).
DOWNS DOINGS-Monday's 11-race matinee was a make-up program for last Thursday (July 8), the night of the Joan Jett concert here...This week, Vernon reverts to its regular Thursday-Saturday slate, with first post at 6:55 each evening...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Armbro Doyle unleashed a strong stretch kick that carried him to a one-length victory over the favorite, John Paul's Legacy, in Saturday night's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs. Remaining in fifth until the top of the stretch, Armbro Doyle responded eagerly to the urgings of catch-driver Chuck Connor, Jr. in a :29.1 final split to post a 1:57.2 triumph in the weekend's Miracle Mile-1 trotting test. He paid $20.40 to win.
The fast-closing tally was the second this season and 17th all-time for the 7-year-old son of King Conch-Accompaniment, who is owned and trained by Scott West.
West also harnessed the first-place finishing high-steppers Cool Touch (1:58.2) and Sundowner Bob (1:55.4) to complete an owner and trainer hat-trick during Saturday's 11-race program.
Drivers Jack Rice and Rick Plano also chalked up a pair of wins during the 34th program of Vernon's 57th season.
Prior to the pari-mutuel program Constance Finnerty (CD's Miss M), Abbey D'Agostino (Jandi Tuff As Sky) and Brooke Metzel (Justaway) were divisional winners in non-betting exhibition races that concluded the Harness Racing Youth League's five day summer camp at the Downs.
DOWNS DOINGS-The Downs will present a make-up, 11-race program at 1:15 p.m. this coming Monday (July 12). The track will also offer live racing at 6:55 Thursday-Saturday nights (July 15-17)...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
My True Delight saved her best for last to pull out a ¾-length victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth event at Vernon Downs. While Biggest Big Bertha was cutting out fast early fractions (:27.2, :56.1 and 1:23.1), My True Delight was rallying from fifth to fourth around the final turn. When the pace-setter began to tire in a :28.4 final split, the Claude Huckabone, III-driven mare closed like a shot (:27.1 final quarter) from third in the payoff patch and stopped the timer in a career-best time of 1:51.4 to capture the week's Miracle Mile-1 contest for female pacers.
Friday's first-place finish was the second this season and the 23rd lifetime for the bay daughter of Bettor's Delight-My True Art, who is trained by Tim Lanpher and owned by his wife, Judith.
As the fifth wagering choice in the field of six, the career-winner of $231,823 returned $21.80, $9.60 and $3.90 across the board.
Vernon' defending driving champ Jimmy Whittemore won three of Friday's 10 races, while veteran Chuck Connor, Jr. also teamed a trio of first-place finishers.
DOWNS DOINGS-Vernon will offer "Breakfast With The Pros in its clubhouse starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow. A breakfast buffet will be served...Three exhibition races by member of the Harness Horse Youth League (the first starting at 5:30 p.m.) will precede Saturday night's 11-race live pari-mutuel program that is scheduled to begin at 6:55...The Downs will present a make-up program at 1:15 p.m. this coming Monday (July 12)...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Daley Deposit Only's super season continued after the gritty gelding produced a 1:50.4 career-best victory in Monday afternoon's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs. While You Bet Your Glass was cutting blazing fractions (:26.4, :54.4 and 1:22.2) in mid-90 degree temperatures, Daley Deposit Only drafted along in the garden spot.
With trainer Dan Daley doing the driving, the 5-year-old bay son of Artiscape-Sassy Cessiann pulled the pocket in the final furlong and dug deep in a :28-second final quarter to defeat the game-going leader by a neck in the weekend's Miracle Mile-1 pacing handicap. He paid $9.30 to win.
After clipping 2/5ths-of-a-second off his previous best speed-mark (earned this past winter at Florida's Pompano Park), Daley Deposit Only secured his third local tally, ninth this season and 21st overall.
Ann-Mari Daley (Dan's wife) owns the career-winner of $215,854 along with Jared Daley, Richard Lombardo and Robert Pergament.
Daley Deposit Only's half-brother, Daley's Interest (Modern Art-Sassy Cessiann), captured Monday's $6,000 seventh race to give driver Daley his second double at the meet. The sophomore gelding is registered to Ann-Mari Daley, Jared Daley and Lombardo.
With Chuck Connor, Jr. teaming for trainer Jody Weidman and his ownership partner George Mathar, the productive pacer Up Front Rudy became the meet's first seven-time winning equine following a 1:52.3 victory in the afternoon's $8,000 fifth race.
Leading driver Josh Marks won three of Monday's 10 races to increase his current Downs credits to 85 through 32 programs, while top trainer Tracy Brainard logged a pair of first-place finishes.
DOWNS DOINGS- Daley Deposit Only's time was one second off the fastest mile ever at Vernon Downs...Waltrip Hanover's 1:52 score for the Purple Haze Stables in Monday's $8,000 ninth race was just 4/5ths-of-a-second off of Vernon's all-time standard for aged pacing horses, set by Goin To The Beach in 2002...Due to a Joan Jett concert at 7:30 next Thursday night (July 8), Vernon will offer live racing at 6:55 on Friday (July 9) and Saturday (July 10) nights only this weekend...The track will present a make-up program at 1:15 p.m. next Monday (July 12)...Additional information regarding the track's 2010 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
Skad's Winner found racing room in mid-stretch and exploited it to record a career-best 1:56.1 victory in Saturday night's (July 3) $11,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs. Hemmed in fourth behind the favorite, Sharpshootennorris, through three-quarters in 1:26.3, Skad's Winner still had three trotters in front of him and no place to go until the final 16th-of-the-mile.
Then, like proverbial seas, the pylon path opened up in front of him, and the quick-footed 5-year-old gelding powered through to po
