Plano Wins 4, Narrows Gap in Standings

Rick Plano began his trek towards a four-win evening with a 1:54.2 effort behind the pacer Southwind Trini in Thursday night's $6,500 featured first race at Vernon Downs.

Competing in the week's top test for female side-wheelers, Southwind Trini ($6.10) challenged for the lead off the starting gate, took command with a two-wide move entering the backstretch, and then continued on to a half-length decision over the pocket-sitting RD Blues.

Thursday's tally was the second in a row and fourth this season for the fleet-footed 3-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Tattoo Hanover, who is shared in ownership by Rick's wife, Maryann, and Paul Bulinski.

Plano, currently third in races won at the 73-program meeting and second in training tallies, went on to finish first with Real Sparks (1:53.3) in the second race, New York Scooter (1:56) in the fourth event, and Patty's Courage (1:56) in the final contest to record his initial four-win outing of the current campaign.

He had a five-win night here last Saturday (Oct. 1).

Chris Lems, currently fourth in driving victories here this season, and Joe Nassimos, each posted twin tallies during Thursday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Plano, who didn't arrive from California until after Vernon's 58th season was well underway, currently sports 60 driving wins and 38 training tallies... Friday's 10-race program, which includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 trot in event seven, will begin at 6:55 p.m... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending this year's 90-card campaign on Nov. 19... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.