Western Tsunami wires rivals in Saturday feature

The veteran pacer Western Tsunami wired six select rivals to win Saturday night's $8,500 Junior Open at Vernon Downs.

With newcomer Mike Cole at the controls, Western Tsunami ($8.60) flashed to the front off the gate and stayed in command throughout Saturday's featured eighth event, defeating Restless Yankee by half-a length in a 1:51.4 achievement.  

Saturday's strong showing marked the second local score, the fourth season's victory and the 44^th all-time triumph for the 9-year-old son of Western Hanover-Ron's Girl, who is shared in ownership by trainer Tracy Brainard and Andrew Herzog. 

Cole went on to captured the evening's12^th race with the trotter Stonetag (1:57.4) and earn a double in his Downs debut, while Western Tsunami's tally marked the meet-leading 65^th  victory for defending conditioning champ Brainard.

Leading driver Rick Plano accumulated seven scores during the week to raise his teaming count to 121, and he also bumped his training tally to 63 with a first-place finish behind the pacer Oozie's Bad Boy in race five.

Frank Davis also delivered a driving double during the track's 76^th program.

DOWNS DOINGS—Only 14 more live programs remain during Vernon's 59^th season, which continues through Nov 3.  The Downs will offer a Thursday-Saturday schedule throughout October, with a first post at 6:55 p.m…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.