A Fool For Mark scores in Saturday Feature

The swift-striding pacer A Fool For Mark turned a pocket-sitting trip into a breezy 1:51.4 victory that proved to be the fastest score on Saturday night at Vernon Downs.

Facing seven speedy foes in Saturday's $6,000 sixth event, A Fool For Mark settled in behind rotating leaders Checkinthebox (at the quarter) and The Bruiser (at the half) before taking charge of the "Winners Over" contest approaching the three-quarter mile mark and upsetting the favorite, Special Strides, by 1-1/2 lengths.

A Fool For Mark wins Saturday's feature

Although it was the initial Vernon victory in 2013, it marked the eighth score in 16 current starts for the 7-year-old son of Western Ideal-I'm No Fool, who gained his 25^th lifetime tally and raised his career earnings to $86,186.  John MacDonald did the teaming for owner and trainer Dustin Ingraham.

The first-place finish was one of two during Saturday's 12-race card for MacDonald, a newcomer to the Downs this season.  Two-win performances were also turned in by drivers Chris Lems, Roman Lopez and Howard Okusko, Jr., as well as trainer Jessica Okusko.

DOWNS DOINGS—Provisional pilot Brandon Loomis earned his first win credit of 2013 here after urging his pacer Camvicster to a 1:54 score in Saturday's last contest…Full brothers Four One One and The Grey Bullet (each by Sealed N Delivered and out of the broodmare Jammin Jenna) met for the first time ever in Saturday's third race, with the older brother, Four One One (age 11) getting the better of The Grey Bullet (age eight) by finishing fifth to the latter's seventh-place showing…After 11 racing nights, Rick Plano leads in driving wins with 25, while Lopez is tops in training tallies with 13…Due to the  ongoing Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) situation at the track, Vernon will continue with just Friday and Saturday night live competition (first post 6:45 p.m.), through May.  The exception is a 1:15 Memorial Day matinee card that is planned for Monday, May 27…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.