Diamond Stick Pin Sparkles in Upset Victory

Diamond Stick Pin pulled off an upset victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs.

Rated as the next-to-last choice by bettors in the week's Open-1 pace, Diamond Stick Pin ($26.40) idled in fifth place for most of the mile, rallied to fourth entering the final furlong and then closed like a door in the wind to nip the favorite Mystical Valentine by a neck in a 1:52.4 performance over a "sloppy" track.

Howard Okusko, Jr. drove for his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, and owners Conrad Zurick, Edwin Gold and the Purple Haze Stables as the proven 5-year-old son of Bettor's Delight-Silksanddiamonds secured his initial Vernon victory of 2011, his third season's score and his 15th all-time tally, while increasing his lifetime earnings to $366,185.

The D & E Racing stable's Pacinello ($5.60) posted a gate-to-wire, 1:53.3 neck triumph in Saturday's $8,000 seventh session, the week's Open-2 pacing contest.

The Leslie Hale owned and trained pacer Johnny Midnight became the first six-time winning standardbred of Vernon's 30-card campaign after a 1:55 pacing achievement in the 10th test.

Trainer Hale, both Okuskos, leading driver Jimmy Whittemore, chauffeurs Rick Plano and Chris Lems all recorded two tallies during Saturday's 10-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Justice Wyoming is the winningest trotter at the one-third mark of Vernon's 90-card campaign with four first-place finishes... Howard Okusko, Jr. is the track's all-time leading driver of winning miles in two-minutes or faster with 1,130 such credits... Jim Topper of Cicero won a trip for two to the prestigious Hambletonian race for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands in early August during Saturday's program... There will be no live racing at the Downs next Thursday (June 30) due to a Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo concert at the track that begins at 8 p.m... Beginning next Friday (July 1), Vernon will switch back to a 6:55 p.m. post time for its live racing...A 1:15 matinee program is planned for Monday, July 4... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Rev It Now Makes Debut a Winning One

Rev It Now made his Vernon Downs debut a winning one with a 1:57 performance in Friday night's $8,000 featured ninth race.

Competing on a rain-soaked track rated "sloppy," Rev It Now ($10.80) advanced from third in the early going and made it to the top before the half, timed in :58.1.

Still up by a length entering the homestretch, the gritty 5-year-old gelding had enough in reserve to beat back late bids by the favorite Skad's Winner and longshot Spin Spanky Spin to capture the week's Open-2 contest by 2-1/2 lengths.

Jack Rice, currently third in dashes won at the Downs, did the teaming for top trainer Tracy Brainard, who owns the bay son of Revenue S-What Now along with Andrew Herzog.

It was the second season's score, and seventh lifetime win for the career earner of $51,772.

Two-time defending dash champ and current driving leader Jimmy Whittemore raised his win total to 52 after 29 programs by finishing first with the trotters Under The Stars, Crowbar Hotel, Neon Dream, and pacer Mojo Hall.

It was his fourth four-win outing of the local campaign.

DOWNS DOINGS - The trotter Contrarian (2:02) and pacer Dirty Dancing (1:58.4) each secured "maiden" victories during Friday's 10-race card…The win by Dirty Dancing gave top provisional driver Truman Gale his ninth win at the meeting... The Roman Lopez owned, trained and driven trotter Mr. Web Page extended his win streak to three with a 1:59.1 showing in Friday's fourth event... The Downs will conduct a "Breakfast With The Pros" promotion starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Saturday's 10-race card, which includes the week's top pacing events, will get under way at 7:05 p.m... Beginning next Friday (July 1), Vernon will switch back to a 6:55 p.m. post time... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Fox Valley Sage Goes from Last to First in Thursday Night Feature

Stephen Farrell, Jr.'s Fox Valley Sage went from last to first during Thursday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Trainer Ralph Andersen did the driving in the week's Open for female pacers as Fox Valley Sage ($20.80) started out in eighth place, advanced to sixth at the half, third entering the final furlong, and then powered through the stretch (a :27.2 final panel over a "good" track) to defeat the pace-setting Eagle Hilarious by a head in 1:53.3.

It was the third season's score (second at the Downs) and 24th lifetime victory for the 7-year-old daughter of Richess Hanover-Pink Cadillac, who increased her all-time winnings to more than $266,000.

The Wiz Kid's Stable's Head First and Tracy Brainard's Justice Wyoming each extend their winning streaks to three during the track's 28th program.

Dominic Marusco's Sam's Lil' Kim collected her second win in succession.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore earned his seventh driving double of the local campaign, while driver Brian Connor and trainer Laurie Stark teamed up for first-place finishes from the trotter DL Cruiser and pacer Head First.

DOWNS DOINGS - In spite of the rainy evening, six of Thursday's 10 winners earned fresh speed marks… Provisional driver Shawn McDonough delivered his fifth win at the meet after teaming Nicholas Mastrodonato's trotter Stonetag to a 1:58.4 tally in Thursday's 10th event... Friday's 10-race card, featuring the week's top trotting test, will commence at 7:05 p.m... In July, Vernon will switch back to a 6:55 p.m. post time...Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Gural to Donate $5 to Food Bank for each Benatar Ticket Sold

Here's more exciting news regarding the June 30th Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo concert at Vernon Downs.

As a way of giving back to the community, all proceeds from the ticket sales for the June 30th Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo concert will be donated to the Food Bank of Central New York.

In addition, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, Jeff Gural, has stated that he will personally donate $5.00 to the Food Bank of Central New York for every ticket sold for the concert.

Mr. Gural will also give 50 cents for every $1 donated to the Food Bank on the day of the show.

Tickets to the show are available at the Vernon Downs Players Club or online at Ticketmaster.

He's Gorgeous Looks Good in Saturday Night Feature

Track record-holder He's Gorgeous performed with speed and determination while winning Saturday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs in 1:50.3.

Making his second local start since setting a 1:50 Vernon standard for 4-year-old pacing horses on May 7, He's Gorgeous ($3.80) followed Mystical Valentine and Daley Deposit Only to the quarter (paced in :26.1), took the lead after the half (reached in :54.3), led by more than a length entering the stretch (three-quarter time was 1:22.3), and then out-battled Mystical Valentine to the finish of the week's Open-1 contest.

The head triumph was the second at the Downs in 2011, fourth this season and 21st overall for the speedy bay son of Art Major-So Ravishing, who has returned more than $714,000 to his owner Ken Jacobs.

Jack Rice did the teaming for the track's top trainer Tracy Brainard, who posted her 39th win credit at the 27-card meeting.

The Howard Okusko, Sr.-conditioned pacer Touch Of The Past prevailed in the week's $8,000 Open-2 test, scoring in 1:52.3 for driver Joe Nassimos, and owners Linda Manzi and Paul Tandlmayer, in race six.

Frank Milby, who ended the week trailing only two-time defending champion Jimmy Whittemore, 46-34, atop Vernon's driver standings, earned his second triple of the meet after scores behind J T Arturo (1:55.3) and Pro Bono Frank (1:53.4) in the Early Double, and then Dragon My Wagon (1:52.3) in the fourth event.

DOWNS DOINGS - The 12-year-old battler J T Arturo, owned by trainer Dave Dewhurst and Anthony R. Farina, recorded his 68th career victory in Saturday's opener... Leading provisional driver Truman Gale secured his eighth win of the meet after directing the Robert Gale-owned-and-trained pacer Mr. Express to a 1:54.3 tally in Saturday's eighth event... Vernon will offer live racing at 7:05 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next weekend... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Scorpion Moon Posts Fastest Trotting Mile of Vernon Downs season on Friday Night

The speedy veteran Scorpion Moon recorded the fastest trotting mile of the season (1:53.4) en route to his 78th career victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Leaving from the outside nine post, Scorpion Moon ($5.00) shot right to the front and beat back all challenges on the way to a 1-3/4 length decision over the pocket-sitting Aruba Vacation in the week's Open-1 trotting contest.

Jack Rice did the steering for trainer Tracy Brainard as the 10-year-old son of Armbro Scorpion-Angies Nugget logged his second win at the meet and raised his career earnings to more than $859,000.

Brainard owns the bay battler along with Andrew Herzog.

Brainard, the defending training champ, earned another first place credit when the trotter Queen Creek that she also owns with Herzog captured the evening's 10th race in a lifetime best 1:55.1 performance for driver Frank Milby.

Driver Rick Plano earned his second double of the 26-card campaign after winning with the trotter Forever Bachelor, in 1:56.2 for owners Maryann Plano and J. Paul Reddam, and pacer Dragon's Breath, in 1:56.1 for owner Lori Sleva.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Gates Brunet-trained-and-driven trotter Rhythmic Moves displayed speed and substance during a 1:57.1 career-best performance in Friday's fifth event... John Gagnon, Jr. posted his first provisional driving victory of the meet behind the trotter Layla Lolita in Friday's third contest... Saturday night's 10-race line-up, which begins at 7:05, includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in race nine... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Eagle Hilarious No Joke in Thursday Night Feature

Eagle Hilarious took to Vernon Downs' 7/8ths-mile-track in speedy and impressive fashion, posting a 1:52.3 career-best triumph in Thursday night's $6,000 featured ninth event.

With trainer Claude Huckabone, III doing the steering for owner Hugo Iodice, Eagle Hilarious ($8.10) challenged Won Night Stand for the early lead, took charge after the half, timed in :56.2, and then drew off to an easy 4-1/2 length triumph over Faith N Moon in the week's top contest for female sidewheelers.

It was the first local tally and the second season's score for the swift striding 7-year-old daughter of Dragon Again-Cyclebred, who increased her career record to 24 victories and earnings of $284,021.

The victory gave driver Huckabone, III a double during the 10-race card, his first at the meet.

His other score came behind his dad's 4-year-old pacer How Sweet Thou Art (1:54.4) in race two.

Leading reinsman Jimmy Whittemore posted three tallies during the track's 25th program, hiking his win total here to 46.

DOWNS DOINGS - Top trainer Tracy Brainard increased her win count to 36 after her 6-year-old trotter Justice Wyoming captured the evening's first race in 1:59... Driver Truman Gale currently holds a 7-5 edge over Michael Miller atop the provisional chart as the result of a career-best 2:00.4 score by Robert Gale's trotter Breewood Brier in race three... Friday's 10-race program, featuring the best trotters at the track competing in race nine, will begin at 7:05 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Mata Harry Upsets Field in $10,000 Open Pace

Mata Harry turned an unintended gift from the favorite Highbeta Blue Chip into a 1:51.4 triumph in Saturday night's $10,000 Open-1 pace at Vernon Downs.

Boxed in fourth, three lengths behind the leader Highbeta Blue Chip entering the stretch drive, Mata Harry ($28.40) took advantage of a sudden opening in the inside pylon patch, accelerated through it (final quarter in :27.2 on a "sloppy" track) and came away with a one-length victory over the fast-closing Mystical Valentine in the evening's first contest.

Highbeta Blue Chip, who bore out from the inside in the final furlong, had to settle for third.

Saturday's score was the third this season (all at Vernon) and the 34th overall for the 10-year-old son of Armbro Operative-Down East Lady, who is owned by Elliot Missula.

The opportunistic effort increased his career winnings to more than $407,000.

It was one of four wins during Saturday's 10-race card for driver Jimmy Whittemore, who did the teaming for his father, trainer Dennis Whittemore.

The two-time defending champ and current leading chauffeur also finished first with the pacers Kingsandqueens (1:56.4), Forty Carrots (1:54), and the trotter Lekka (1:58.4) to post his third four-win outing in 24 programs, and hike his season's tally total here to 43.

Chris Lems, currently fourth on the track's dashes-won chart with 19 victories, collected his initial triple at the meet after scoring with the pacers You Bet Your Glass (1:52.3), Johnny Midnight (1:54.3) and Mackenzie’s Bliss (1:54).

The victory by the Leslie Hale-owned-and-trained Johnny Midnight was the 8-year-old gelding's fifth at the Downs this season, tying him with fellow side-wheeler Rosa Villa for top honors among equine performers at the meet.

DOWNS DOINGS - The streaking pacer Mach Hula extended his win skein to three after a 1:56 performance for driver Frank Milby, trainer/co-owner Dave Dewhurst and his partner, Louis Chichester, in Saturday's fourth event. Only Rosa Villa has more consecutive wins (four) at the meet... Justin Huckabone, 17-year-old son of Vernon veteran horseman Claude Huckabone, Jr. and brother of driver-trainer Claude Huckabone, III, began his harness racing career with several successful drives during Saturday morning's qualifying program here... The Downs will present live racing at 7:05 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next weekend... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Vacation Day Fights Off Challengers to Take Friday Night Feature

Feeling the hot breath of several Open-1 challengers at the head of the stretch, Vacation Day slipped into a faster gear and drew off to a 1:55.4 trotting triumph in Friday night's $10,000 featured 10th event at Vernon Downs.

After carving out fractions of :26.4, :56.4 and 1:27.1, Vacation Day ($12.80) was pressured by as many as four contending rivals entering the final furlong.

With Fern Paquet, Jr. steering for trainer Jamie Paquet, the gritty 5-year-old gelding didn’t panic.

Instead, he picked up the pace and spurted to a 1-1/2 length score over the second wagering choice, Unshakeable.

The favorite Scorpion Moon finished two lengths back in third.

Friday's first-place finish is the second locally this season, the third of the year and the 11th all-time for the son of Dream Vacation-Shutter Hanover.

Trainer Paquet and the In Front Racing stable own the lifetime winner of $120,602.

The final clocking was just 2/5ths-of-a-second off of his career-best win mark.

Dan Daley won with the trotters Mc Tiny's Hope (a 1:58.4 maiden victory) and RC Serpent (1:56.2) to claim his second double of the 23-card campaign.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional pilot Chris McCracken earned his initial win at the meet after guiding the trotter Crestwood Patriot to a career-fastest 1:57.3 tally in Friday's sixth session... Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore (39 wins) and top trainer Tracy Brainard (34) each collected a first-place finish during Friday's 10-race program... Vernon will simulcast the Belmont Stakes card, including the final leg of Thoroughbred racing's "Triple Crown" at approximately 6:30 tomorrow afternoon... The track's live 10-race program will follow at 7:05 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Hidden Touch Has the Right Touch in Thursday's Feature

Hidden Touch earned her initial Vernon Downs victory, and the lion's share of a $10,000 purse, in Thursday night's main event at the central New York harness track.

John Cummings, Jr. did the steering for trainer Megan Wilson in the week's Open feature for female pacers as Hidden Touch ($19.80) drafted along behind the pace-setting She's Everything until the stretch drive, and then got up in a photo to nip the mile-cutter by a head in 1:54.

It was the fifth score this season and the 35th all-time for the productive 8-year-old bay, who is owned by Claude Bourgeois.

The tight tally increased the Cambest-mare's career winnings to more than $411,000.

The streaking side-wheeler Rosa Villa stretched her victory skein to four, longest at the 22-program meeting, and became the season's first five-time local winner after a 1:54.2 performance for driver Frank Davis, trainer Dee Johnson and the Donald Stockwell/Steven Guido partnership in Thursday's second session.

It marked the 20th lifetime tally for the 8-year-old daughter of The Panderosa, who was claimed after the race for $4,800 by Brian Green of Leicester, Mass.

Rick Plano, who recently arrived with his stable from California, earned his first two victories at the Downs in 2011, scoring with the trotter It's A Diamond (1:59.3) and pacer Albagold (1:57.2).

Truman Gale took the lead in provisional driving victories at the meet after piloting the Robert C. Gale-owned- and-trained pacer By All Means to a 1:54.1 triumph in Thursday's 10th contest.

The 22-year-old reinsman currently leads Michael Miller, 6-5, in "P" tallies.

DOWNS DOINGS - The claim of Rosa Villa was the 11th of the year at the Downs... Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore won for the 38th time at the meet after a 1:57.3 effort behind top trainer Tracy Brainard's (33 victories) aged trotter Justice Wyoming in the seventh session... Friday's 10-race card will feature the week's Open Trot in the evening's final event. First post is at 7:05 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Mystical Valentine Wins Again in Saturday Feature

The steady going pacer Mystical Valentine delivered a seamless 1:52.3 performance while winning Saturday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Frank Milby, steering for trainer Dave Dewhurst, sent Mystical Valentine ($6.90) to the front from the word "Go" and kept the 5-year-old bay gelding in command through splits of :27.1, :57.2 and 1:26 en route to a 1-1/2 length tally in the week's Open-1 pace.

It was the second score in succession and the fourth at the 21-program meeting for the son of Dream Work-Sneakheravalentine, who is owned by Philip Hale.

The strong showing tied the career winner of 19 races and $282,277 at four with fellow sidewheelers Rosa Villa and Johnny Midnight for most equine tallies at the Downs thus far in 2011.

Milby and Dewhurst each earned doubles during the 11-race program, as they also got a first-place finish from the pacer What It Means (owned by the trainer and Hale) in Saturday's seventh session.

Other drivers picking up twin tallies during the program were Frank Davis (the pacers Lightning Prince & Art's Image), Chris Lems (the pacers Johnny Midnight & Banocariza) and Jimmy Whittemore (the pacers Shu Fu & Glen B).

DOWNS DOINGS - What It Means also won in the exact same time as his stablemate, 1:52.3, which turned out to be the fastest miles of the evening... Truman Gale moved into a five-all tie with Michael Miller for most wins by provisional drivers at the meet following his first-place finish behind the pacer Mr. Express in race two... Milby is tops in driving doubles at the meet with eight... Vernon will resume live harness racing at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday (June 9)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Russ N Us Sneaks Through on the Inside to Capture Trotting Feature

The Saratoga ship-in Russ N Us finished like a whirlwind to capture Friday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Saving ground along the inside in fourth while How'd That Feel and, later the favorite, Scorpion Moon, took turns cutting out the mile, Russ N Us ($16.60) exploited a gap in the pylon path entering the homestretch and closed like a gate in the wind to defeat the on-coming Unshakeable by 3-1/2 lengths in the week's Open-1 trotting contest.

The 1:54.4 performance stands as one of the fastest of Vernon's 20-card campaign, and it serves as a career-best win-mark for the 5-year-old son of Like A Prayer-Pine For, who is owned by the Scheigert Racing Stable.

Claude Huckabone, III did the teaming for trainer Melissa Beckwith as the veteran bay gelding chalked up his sixth season's score, 21st lifetime win and increased his career earnings to more than $142,000.

Huckabone, III also won with the trotters Fash Bash Girl and Caviar's Promise to record his initial "hat trick" at the meet.

Also recording twin tallies during Friday's 12-card were drivers Roman Lopez (who scored with the trotters Mr. Web Page and In The Stretch in the early double), Jimmy Whittemore, Brian Connor, as well as trainers Ann Yurenka and Laurie Stark.

Dennis Whittemore's aged gelding Saver secured a solid 1:57.1 score in Friday's $8,000 seventh session, the week's Open-2 trotting contest.

DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon will present a 12-race program at 7:05 on Saturday night that includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in race 10... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Fox Valley Sage Surges to Victory in Thursday Night Feature

Fox Valley Sage surged to a second straight score in Thursday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Fresh off a 2:01 tally at Yonkers Raceway on May 27, Fox Valley Sage ($11.60) rallied from second in the final strides to nip the oncoming Blueridge Betty (last week's winner in this fillies and mares Open pace) by a head in a 1:54.4 effort.

Hidden Touch, who led for most of the mile, was a tight third.

Trainer Ralph Andersen did the driving for owner Stephen Farrell, Jr. as the 7-year-old bay daughter of Richess Hanover-Pink Cadillac secured her 23rd lifetime victory and increased her all-time winnings to nearly $260,000.

With Frank Davis driving for trainer Deedra Johnson, the pacer Rosa Villa became the initial four-time winner at the Downs this season following a front-striding 1:57 outing in Thursday's fourth race, that tied her at three with fellow pacer P L Comestowin and the trotters Jezzy and The Kentuckian for the longest winning streak after 19 programs.

Donald Stockwell and Steven Guido own the 8-year-old mare, who has achieved 19 lifetime victories and $226,822 in official prize money.

Davis also delivered a 1:57.2 triumph with the pacer Acadiana in the ninth event that gave him a double during Thursday's 11-race program.

Second-leading driver Frank Milby (My Girl Lora and Mach Hula) also carded a pair of first-place finishes during the evening.

DOWNS DOINGS - Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore earned his 33rd local tally after directing Scott Miller's pacer Printing A Place to a 1:57.3 decision in Thursday's fifth event... The Downs will present a 12-race card, featuring the week's $10,000 Open-1 trot, starting at 7:05 tomorrow night... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Jezzy, Whatever It Takes Shine in Empire Breeders' Classic Trots

Whatever It Takes and Jezzy displayed championship form during their divisional scores in Monday afternoon's $521,700 Empire Breeders Classic finals for 3-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.

Whatever It Takes ($39.60) turned in a 1:54 track record performance for sophomore gelding high-steppers with his fast-closing triumph in the $283,475 male division (race six), while Jezzy ($2.40) earned a fresh speed mark and remained unbeaten after three current outings with her convincing 1:55 tally in the $238,225 filly flight (race nine).

It was a memorable Memorial Day matinee for Jeff Gural, who shared in the ownership of both speedy and talented New York-breds.

With Andy Miller steering for trainer Julie Miller, Whatever It Takes left the starting gate somewhat cautiously, followed the surging co-favorites Dejarmbro and I'm The Answer around the final bend and then closed from fifth at the top of the stretch (last quarter in :27.2) to defeat the former competitor by a head.

The other half of the Purple Haze Stable entry (I'm the Answer) finished third, one length back.

"I relaxed him off the gate," explained driver Miller. "When I saw Trond (Smedshammer behind Dejarmbro) and Brian (Sears behind I'm The Answer) moving up, I just followed them and he finished very well. This horse has turned the corner for us during the past month, and seems to be getting better and better."

The 1:54 career-best clocking trimmed 3/5ths-of-a-second off the previous track mark for sophomore geldings on the diagonal gait, set by I'm The Answer in one of the elimination races here on May 21, became the fastest mile by a representative of the square gait at the meet and tied the quickest trotting mile by a 3-year-old in the track's 58-year history.

The bay son of Credit Winner- Caper Caillie now sports a 3-2-1 summary line after seven season's starts.

The career winner of $159,938 is owned by Gural's Little E, LLC stable, along with Brittany Farms, Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc. and the Credit Caper Partners.

Jezzy got away third for noted driver Tim Tetrick in the filly flight, but took the lead before the half, reached in :57.1.
The homebred brown daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind caught a breather when Four Damsals shuffled her back into the pocket in the final turn, but the eager youngster responded well in the final furlong (lastl panel in :28.4) and recorded a solid two-length decision over Four Damsals.

Stablemate Epona Blue Chip finished third.

"She’s such a pleasure to drive," said Tetrick in the winner's circle. "I just wanted to get her a clear lane (to the finish) when I pulled her in the stretch and she did the rest. She's a real sweetheart."

Shared in ownership by Gural, trainer Ray Schnittker, Jerry Silva and Theodore Gewertz, the career winner of more than $400,000 has now chalked up 13 wins and a second-place finish in 14 overall trips to the track.

The time dropped her speed mark by one and one-fifth seconds.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Schnittker trained and driven Deweycheatumnhowe established the 1:54 track mark for sophomores in August of 2008... Former Vernon driving champion Brian Sears scored three times during Monday's 12-race program, while Tetrick and Dan Daley each posted driving doubles... Live racing will resume at 7:05 p.m. this Thursday (June 2)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.