My Buddy Hall Lee wins #6

The steady-striding trotter My Buddy Hall Lee extended the season's longest winning streak at Vernon Downs, while the gritty high-stepper Brilliant Thunder eked out a close tally in Friday night's featured ninth event.

Competing in the evening's $5,300 seventh session, the favorite My Buddy Hall Lee ($3.20) rallied to the lead in the final turn, and then held off the pocket-sitting Cedarridgetag in the stretch drive to earn a head decision in 1:55.4. 

Tied at five with fellow trotter Yankee Manny for most equine tallies after 46 Vernon programs, My Buddy Hall Lee became the meet's initial six-time winner, while extending his current win-skein to six.  It was the seventh lifetime victory for the 4-year-old son of Roadshow Hall-Exclusive Lee, who increased his career earnings to more than $20,600 for owner Brett Tessler.  Roman Lopez did the teaming for trainer Leopold Sawyers.

With Frank Milby steering for trainer Barry Dodge and owner Tony Lioto in Friday's $5,400 ninth contest, Brilliant Thunder ($28.60) pulled out of the pocked behind the front-striding Damian Carlos N entering the final furlong, and then out-hustled the fast-closing B Cor Terry to the finish to earn a nose triumph in a career-best 1:56 effort.  It was the second season's score and 25^th lifetime tally for the bay son of Brilliant Victory-Proud Performance, who increased his all-time earnings to $77,803.

Milby managed a pair of first-place finishes during Friday's 10-race card, as did driver Claude Huckabone, III.

DOWNS DOINGS—The precocious 2-year-old filly pacer Minor Wisdom earned her initial pari-mutual victory with a 1:56 mile for driver Brian Connor, trainer Chuck Connor, Jr. and the W Springtime Racing Stable in Friday's fourth event…Michael Sorentino, Jr.'s pacer Bacgamon got his first lifetime win after a 1:57.3 performance for Huckabone, III in Friday's eighth event…Rick Plano posted his 5,988 career driving victory with the trotter Tobell in Friday's fifth race…The Downs will close out the week's live racing with Saturday's 11-race card, that featured the week's $11,000 Open pace in race two.  First post will be at 6:55 p.m…The Downs will host a New York Sire Stakes-sponsored contest for 2-year-old filly pacers on Wednesday night, Aug. 8 and a NYSS contest for 3-year-old filly trotters on Saturday evening, Aug. 11… Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.