Western Trademark speeds to 1:50.2 win in Saturday feature

Western Trademark scores for Luke Plano

The slick-striding pacer Western Trademark turned in a mile-leading 1:50.2 performance while winning Saturday night's $8,000 featured pace at Vernon Downs.

With Luke Plano as the pilot, Western Trademark was sent to the front from the word "go" and he never looked back en route to a breezy four-length victory in Saturday's seventh session. 

The solid score was the second locally, the fifth this season and the 35^th all-time for the 8-year-old son of Western Hanover-Tyber Song, a career-winner of more than $394,000 that is trained by Joe Cordisco and owned by Holly J. Cordisco. 

Saturday's featured win was one of two during the evening's 12-race pari-mutuel program for Plano, the 33-year-old son of Vernon's leading driver and trainer Rick Plano.

Also achieving two-win success during Saturday's slate were Rick Plano, posting his meet-leading 17^th driving double, John MacDonald and Truman Gale.

In a non-betting division of the C. K. G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters prior to the betting card, Robert Davis steered Jimmer to a fast-closing 1:58 victory for trainer David Corlew.  The 4-year-old gelding is owned by Davis and Terry Vanvalkenburgh.

Saturday's final Billings clash was won by Mark Eaton, who guided Famous Image to a front-striding 1:57.3 triumph in race three.  Eaton is the trainer and owner of the determined 8-year-old gelding.

DOWNS DOINGS—Another Billings contestant, Matt Zuccarello, teamed the pacer Some Or Lis to a 1:55.3 victory in Saturday's fifth race for trainer Anthony Ellert and owner Richard Dow…Vernon will offer live racing Thursday through Sunday nights next weekend, with first post at 6:45…The program on Sunday, Aug. 25 will feature the first round of this season's 7^th-Annual Drivers' Championship, as well as the $700,000 (est.) Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial for 3-year-old trotters.  Sunday's special card will also include a Corey Callahan bobblehead doll giveaway,  free drivers' championship T-shirts (both items given away while supplies last), as well as iPad and laptop computer giveaways…A revised 2013 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.