Howard Okusko, Jr. was at the controls as
Four Damsals ($9.90) kept an eye on the pace-setting Man O Matic from fourth at
the quarter and half, and from third past the three-quarter mile mark. The 4-year-old daughter of Cr
Excalibur-Lotstoliveupto closed from second in the final furlong to overtake Man
O Matic and then trot on to a 2-1/4 length tally over the on-rushing
Dreamanotherdream.
Friday's first-place finish was the fifth
this season (all at the Downs) and the seventh all time for the battlin' brown
mare, who is owned by trainer George Ducharme and his partners, Steven and
Patricia Diamond. She's now a
career-earner of more than $145,600.
The win was one of three during Friday's
12-race program for Okusko, who also snared a pair of first-place finishes here
on Thursday night.
Leading trainer Tracy Brainard also collected
three triumphs during the card, all of them driven by newcomer Jonathan Roberts
(Mr. Hallowell in the fourth, Up Front Ben in the seventh, and Trust My Heart in
the nightcap).
DOWNS DOINGS—Okusko's other tallies
were behind Sweet Sally (2:00.2) in race one and Donna's Scape (1:56.3) in race
10. It was the initial pari-mutual
victories for both Standardbreds…Driver Jimmy Whittemore scored twice during
Friday's program, tying Rick Plano at 14 for the lead in driving doubles at the
72-program meeting…Leading driver Plano increased his win count to 111 and his
training total to 58 (four scores behind Brainard's total of 62) with a
first-place finish behind the trotter He'smyman (1:56.4) in Friday's second
session…Tomorrow night (Sept. 22), Vernon will offer a 13-race live program
starting at 6:55 p.m., as well as a full-card simulcast from Yonkers Raceway of
this season's rich New York Sire Stakes championship program…Additional
information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional
events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.
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