Yankee Manny wins again

Brian Green's Yankee Manny became the initial four-time winning trotter of the season at Vernon Downs following his career-best 1:53 victory in the featured attraction during Wednesday afternoon's special Independence Day matinee program.

With trainer Frank Davis at the controls in Wednesday's $10,500 Open contest, the favorite Yankee Manny ($4.80) drafted along in third for most of the sixth race, and then accelerated through the pylon path in the final sixteenth to defeat the fast-closing Spring Goal by a nose.  The pace-setting Manningly was a length back in third.

 

Wednesday's determined effort tied Yankee Manny with the pacer Miracle Freeluck as the 30-program meet's only four time winning equines through that point in the day.  The Brett Tessler-owned trotter My Buddy Hall Lee then followed suit in the afternoon's eighth event, while extending his current winning streak to a meet-longest four straight.

Yankee Manny's triumph marked his sixth season's score and his 25^th lifetime win.  The 6-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Yankee Minuet now sports career earnings of nearly $143,500.

Drivers Rick Plano, Brian Connor and Frank Milby each registered a pair of first-place finishes during Wednesday's 11-race card. 

At day's end, Plano enjoyed a 49-46 advantage over Chris Lems in Vernon's current dash-winning derby.

DOWNS DOINGS—Miracle Freeluck became the meet's initial four-time winner on June 9…The trotter Ultimate Control became the meet's highest priced claim after Danny Nikac plucked him away from the Plano barn for $15,000 in Wednesday's ninth race…There will be no live racing at the Downs tomorrow night (July 5) due to a concert by "America" at the track…Thursday's simulcasts will take place at the Vernon Downs hotel…Live racing will resume at 6:55 p.m. on Friday, July 6 and continue on Saturday, July 7…Starting July 11, Vernon will add Wednesday nights (first post 6:55) to its live racing schedule for the remainder of July and August...Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.