Longshots Rule During Saturday Night Sire Stakes

Jo Pa’s Fod was the only favorite to finish first in Saturday night’s $151,664 New York Sires Stake feature for 3-year-old male pacers at Vernon Downs.

With Jim Morrill, Jr. driving for trainer Jim Campbell and the Emposimato Stables in Saturday’s initial NYSS contest (race five), Jo Pa’s Fod rallied from fourth at the half to reach the front by the three-quarter mark, and then had to tough out a nose decision over the pocket-sitting Jimmy Hanover in 1:52.1.

The gritty performance marked the second NYSS score and third this season for the bay son of Art Major-Athena Blue Chip, who has secured five wins, a 1:51.2 record and $144,201 in 20 lifetime starts.

Saturday’s unexpected NYSS winners were Joey The Czar (in 1:51.3 for driver Jimmy Whittemore, trainer Bruce Saunders and owner Kevin Gee); Erichs Best (in 1:53.2 for driver Fern Paquet, Jr., trainer Jamie Paquet and owner Erich Boehm); and Flexjet (in 1:54.4 for driver Brian Allen, trainer Chet Poole, Jr., who is also an owner along with Norman Kelapire, Deborah Chase and Winbak Farm).

Joey The Czar turned a draft-along trip into a ¾-length victory and a personal best record. It was the sixth season’s score and eighth lifetime victory for the bay son of Art Major-Razmataz Hanover.

Erichs Best, a bay son of Pro Bono Best-T C’s Ruler, closed from seventh in a :27.1 final quarter to produce a one-length tally, his fifth lifetime triumph (all this year), as well as a fresh win-mark.

Flexjet advanced from eighth (last) at the half and hustled home from sixth in the final quarter to record a 1-1/2-length verdict. It was the third current victory and eighth career success for the brown son of Village Jove-No Sweets Please.

Diamond Stick Pin (Howard Okusko, Jr. steering for trainer Jessica Okusko (his wife) and the Conrad Zurich, Edwin Gold and Purple Haze Stables ownership contingent, captured the week’s $11,000 Miracle Mile pace in 1:52.4.

DOWNS DOINGS—Living It Up’s 1:51.3 victory in Saturday’s first race was just 2/5ths-of-a-second off the Vernon record for aged pacing horses…Driver and trainer Rick Plano won three of Saturday’s 12 races, while Josh Marks and Brian Allen each chalked up driving doubles…The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week.

Bet the Ranch Sets Lifetime Mark With Miracle Mile Score

Skad’s Winner and Bet The Ranch were co-featured victors during Thursday night’s 11-race program at Vernon Downs.

Skad’s Winner eked out a 1:56.2 triumph in Thursday’s $10,000 sixth race, the week’s top Miracle Mile trotting contest, while Bet The Ranch uncorked a 1:51.1 tally in the $11,000 ninth event, the week’s MM-1 handicap for female pacers.

Bill Bailey steered Skad’s Winner for trainer Ann Yurenka and owner Mary Apker.

The sure-footed 5-year-old son of Broadway Hall-Angela Lane closed from fourth in the final quarter to move past the pacesetting Armbro Doyle with a head bob in the final stride.

The nose decision marked the fourth season’s score and 11th all-time for the gritty gelding that has earned more than $208,000 during his productive career.

Howard Okusko, Jr. was behind Bet The Ranch, guiding the quick-striding 5-year-old mare to a solid, front-striding score three races later.

The 3-1/4-length verdict resulted in a personal best record, the sixth local victory and 26th lifetime triumph for the bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Silksandiamonds, who is registered to Edwin Gold and Conrad Zurich.

Defending conditioning champ Jessica Okusko (Howard’s wife) trains the career winner of $216,917.

Former Downs provisional champ Chris Lems continued his hot streak, recording three first-place driving and training triumphs (Yessir Thatsmybaby, Onedayatatime and Won Night Stand), while the meet’s current driving kingpin Josh Marks also recorded three victories, two (Cool Touch and Striking Rich) for owner and trainer Scott West.

DOWNS DOINGS—After 46 Vernon programs, Bet The Ranch is just one win behind the pacer Up Front Rudy for top honors in equine victories, while Cool Touch is currently tied at five with Fox Valley Majesty for most tallies by a diagonally-gaited performer…There will be no live racing at the Downs on Friday (Aug. 6) due to a Clint Black concert at 8 p.m. However, the track will offer its regular simulcasting slate in the lower clubhouse…Live racing returns at 6:55 p.m. on Saturday (Aug. 7).

Country Music Legend Clint Black Plays Vernon Downs Friday Night

Country music star Clint Black will play Vernon Downs this Friday night starting at 8:00. Tickets are still available at the Players Club and Ticketmaster outlets starting at $20. Here's a preview of the show from the Syracuse Post-Standard:

Clint Black’s first single, released back in 1987, was titled “A Better Man.”

The born-in-New Jersey, raised-in-Texas country music star has been living up to that title ever since.

Black has to his credit a long list of hits and awards, including the male vocalist of the year honor from the Country Music Association in 1990.

In 1999, Black won the Academy of Country Music’s vocal event of the year award for his performance with his wife, TV star Lisa Hartman, on “When I Said I Do.”

Black will perform outdoors, adjacent to Vernon Down’s horse-racing track.

THE DETAILS
WHAT: Clint Black in concert.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel, routes 5 and 31, Vernon.
TICKETS: $20 and $30, available at Vernon Downs, Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com and 800-745-3000.

Leading Driver Marks Triples His Fun

Sundowner Bob secured a training double for owner Scott West and a triple for leading driver Josh Marks with a 1:56.1 triumph in Saturday night’s $11,000 featured seventh race at Vernon Downs.

Leaving from the outside nine post in the week’s top Miracle Mile trotting contest, Sundowner Bob challenged for the lead from the start, took charge in Vernon’s clubhouse curve and then cruised to a three-quarter length decision over Unshakeable.

As second choice in the betting, he paid $5.70 to win.

It was the second season’s score (second in his last three starts) and 30th all-time for the 8-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Pine Potion, who increased his lifetime earnings to more than $389,800.

West also owns and conditions the trotter Cool Touch, who produced a 1:56.3 victory for Marks in Saturday’s fifth race.

Marks also won with the trotting newcomer Current Ca Ching, conditioned by Paul Kulls, Jr. for owner Gil Chip Lawyer, en route to his ninth hat trick at the 44-program meet.

DOWNS DOINGS—Owner/trainer Leon Cable chalked up his first Vernon victory when Whiteland Will trotted to a 1:58.3 victory for driver Jimmy Whittemore in Saturday’s second race… Michael Miller, the meet’s second-leading provisional driver (behind Leon Bailey), notched his fourth win of the local campaign after Pacific Wave trotted to a 1:57.3 tally in Saturday’s third test… The Downs will present a special 12-race, all pacing make up program (for a Clint Black concert here on Friday, Aug. 6) at 1:15 p.m. this Monday (Aug. 2).

Jezzy Stays Undefeated After Sires Stakes Win

The highly regarded 2-year-old trotting filly Jezzy remained undefeated after five lifetime starts after her 1:58.2 performance in Friday night’s $134,150 New York Sires Stakes feature at Vernon Downs.

With part owner and trainer Ray Schnittker in the sulky, Jezzy charged to the lead from third in the clubhouse curve and never looked back en route to a 6-3/4 length score that raised her lifetime winnings to $95,072.

The brown daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind is also shared in ownership by breeder Jeff Gural (Little E, LLC CNY), Jerry Silva and Theodore Gewertz.

She earned her 1:57.3 record in the Acorn Stake at The Meadowlands (NJ) on June 30.

Friday’s other NYSS divisional winners were Eight Bells, in 1:57.4 for the SGS Partners; Miss Sue V, in 1:58.1 for the Kelley Racing Stable and William Weaver, III; Epona Blue Chip, in 1:59.2 for the Epona Stable and Carme Blue Chip, in 2:00.2 for the Carme Stable.

Eight Bells (Conway Hall-Ella Minnow Pea) remains unbeaten after two NYSS starts.

Her time was just one-fifth-of-a-second off the all-time Vernon record for this age, sex and gait.

Carme Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Sir Dream) also sports a pair of NYSS scores among her three career tallies.

Miss Sue V (Credit Winner-Sunday Yankee), who eked out a head triumph over Tap Tap Dance, is still perfect in two NYSS outings, while Epona Blue Chip (Conway Hall-Hustle N Muscle) has also collected a pair of NYSS victories after four official trips to the track.

Schnittker, who also guided Epona Blue Chip and Carme Blue Chip into Vernon’s winner’s circle, was credited with a driving and training triple during Friday’s nine-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS—Munis Blue Chip owns the 1:57.3 Vernon standard for this class, which was set last September…Greg Powell drove Eight Bells for trainer Chuck Sylvester, while Brian Mattison teamed Miss Sue V for trainer Paul Kelley…The 2-year-old filly pacer All About Kisses (Pro Bono Best-Cheerful Outlook) made her career debut a winning one after a 1:57.1 effort in Friday’s fifth event…Saturday’s nine-race card, which includes an $11,000 Miracle Mile trot in event seven, will get started at 6:55 p.m…The Downs will present a special 12-race make up matinee program starting at 1:15 p.m. this Monday (Aug. 2.

Daley Deposit Only Paces to 10th Victory of 2010

The winning continued for driver Dan Daley and Daley Deposit Only in Saturday night’s $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Daley, who delivered a pair of first-place finishes here last night (July 16), piloted Daley Deposit Only to a repeat victory in the week’s Miracle Mile-1 pacing feature.

After spurting to the early lead, Daley Deposit Only allowed Stonebridge Wish to take command and lead the select field to a third split in 1:25. The quick-striding 5-year-old gelding powered out of the pocket in the final furlong and rallied to post a two-length victory in 1:52.4.

Saturday’s score was the fourth at the Downs and the 10th this season for the homebred bay son of Artiscape-Sassy Cessiann, who is shared in ownership by breeder Ann-Mari Daley (Dan’s wife), Jared Daley, Robert Pergament and Richard Lombardo. It was the 22nd career tally for the lifetime winner of $220.854, who earned his 1:50.4 record here on July 5.

Cowboy Hanover (Luke Plano driving for trainer Rick Plano, plus owners Dave Haness and Maryann Plano), and Mata Harry (Chris Lems steering for trainer Kevin Gould and owner Elliot Misshula) shared honors for Saturday’s fastest mile, each stopping the timer in 1:51.3.

Lems also won with Patty’s Courage to log his eighth double of the meet, while Rick Plano was credited with a pair of training tallies.

DOWNS DOINGS—Leon Bailey, Vernon’s top provisional driver again this year, secured his 16th season’s score after a 1:56.1 trip behind Ehi Guaglione in Saturday’s 12 race…The Downs will offer live racing Thursday-Saturday next week, with first post at 6:55 p.m.

Armbro Doyle Matches Season Record With 1:54.4 Win

Armbro Doyle remained king-of-the-trotting-hill at Vernon Downs following a 1:56.2 victory in Friday night’s $11,000 featured ninth race.

Fresh off a 1:57.2 triumph in last Saturday’s Miracle Mile-1 class here, Armbro Doyle raced as if he was the best and proved it with a front striding, 1-1/2 score over Skad’s Winner in this week’s top trotting test. As second choice in the wagering, he paid $7.20 to win.

Chuck Connor, Jr. drove for owner and trainer Scott West as the 7-year-old son of King Conch-Accompaniment secured his third season’s score (all at the Downs) and 18th overall, while lifting his career earnings to nearly $260,000.

Drivers Dan Daley (Miss Conway in 1:58.1 and Cider With Ice in 1:56.3) and Rick Plano (Sweet Baby Jane in 1:58 and Mr. Friendly in 1:57.3) each posted doubles during Friday’s 10-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS—Armbro Doyle and Southwind Samurai remained tied at 1:54.4 for the meet’s fastest trotting miles after 37 programs. Stonebridge Wish’s 1:49.4 track record pacing clocking is still tops at the Downs in 2010…Saturday’s 12-race card, which includes the Miracle Mile-1 pace in race nine, will get underway at 6:55 p.m.