Yankee Manny Upsets Friday Night feature

Despite a step up in class, Yankee Manny managed to obtain his second straight score in Friday night's $10,000 featured first race at Vernon Downs.

Making just his second local appearance, Yankee Manny ($24.20) followed up a 1:56.3 victory against lesser company here last Friday with a career-fastest 1:55 triumph in this week's Open-1 trotting contest.

Trainer Frank Davis did the driving as Yankee Manny rallied from sixth in the early going, overcame a parked-out journey around the final bend, and then zipped home from third in the final furlong (last quarter in :27.4) to finish first by more than two lengths.

It was the sixth season's score and 17th lifetime victory for the 5-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Yankee Minuet, who is owned by Brian Green.

The Pocono Downs ship-in has earned $9,200 in his two Vernon outings, raising his career winnings to more than $88,300.

Driver Frank Milby collected three wins during Friday's 12-race program, including a 1:55.4 triumph behind Dilly Dally Delia in race six, the week's $8,000 Open-2 trotting test.

John Wilkerson conditions the six-time current winner for owner Benjamin Brooks.

DL Cruiser became the winningest trotter at the 71-program meeting following a lifetime-best 1:57 score in Friday's $6,500 seventh session with trainer Joe Nassimos steering for owners Nicholas Angarano and Shawn Ross.

It was the 6-year-old gelding's second win in succession and sixth at the Downs thus far in 2011.

Driver Roman Lopez also logged a pair of first-place finishes during Friday's card.

DOWNS DOINGS - The pacer Rosa Villa is the winningest equine at the meet with seven scores... Kyler's Valentine, a 2-year-old filly pacer shared in ownership by trainer Dave Dewhurst, Anthony R. Farina and Bernard Colonna, earned her initial career victory with Chris Lems guiding her through an impressive 1:56 performance in Friday's 10th event... Saturday's 12-race line-up, which features some of the week's top pacing attractions, 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.