No Joke About Eagle Hilarious in Thursday Night Feature

The favorite Eagle Hilarious went from last to first before winning Thursday night's $10,000 featured first race at Vernon Downs in 1:53.

Leaving from the outside sixth spot against five quick-footed rivals in the week's feature for female pacers, Eagle Hilarious ($5.20) advanced patiently from last at the quarter.

The 7-year-old mare was fifth entering the stretch and then closed rapidly from fourth in the final sixteenth (final split in :27.1) to defeat the mile-cutting By All Means by a neck.

Thursday's tight tally was the second at the meet, fourth this season and 26th all-time for the bay daughter of Dragon Again-Cyclebred, who trained and driven by Claude Huckabone, III and owned by Hugo Iodice.

She advanced her lifetime earnings to nearly $300,000.

Brian Connor, catch-driving for trainer Laurie Stark and the Ultra Stable, won with the trotter DL Cruiser (in a career-best 1:58) and pacer Real Jenna (1:56.2) to record his fourth double at the 46-program meeting.

DOWNS DOINGS — Ellen Mc Neil's sophomore filly pacer Looney Dune extended her winning streak to three with a 1:55.2 performance in Thursday's seventh session. Luke Plano drove for trainer John Mc Neil, III... Friday's 10-race card, which features the week's $10,000 Open trot in race nine, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.