by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Popcorn Lu Lu turned a two-hole trip into a 1:56 triumph in Thursday night’s (October 11) $10,000 featured eighth event at Vernon Downs.

Competing in a persistent wind-blown rain, and over a ‘sloppy’ racing surface, Popcorn Lu Lu dropped in behind the pace-setting Finale’s Angel through splits of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.2 before rallying to post a 1-1/2 length decision over the on-rushing Wanda’s Choice in the week’s top test for female pacers. My True Delight finished third, while Finale’s Angel faded to fourth.

Bill Bailey did the driving as the 6-year-old daughter of Dream Away collected her second straight score in this Vernon class, fourth victory in her last five starts and sixth tally of the season. Saratoga horseman John Mongeon trains the career winner of $137,061 for owner Louis Fattorusso.

Fastest mile of the night honors went to Newberry Winner, who forged a gate-to-wire 1:55.4 score in Thursday’s $6,615 seventh session. Joe Nassimos drove for trainer Lonny Hale as the 3-year-old daughter of Village Jove secured her fourth local triumph and 12th tally of 2007. Rocco Manzi and Paul Tandlmayer co-own the lifetime winner of more than $47,000.

Hale collected two wins during Thursday’s 10-race card to go two up on Dave Dewhurst in the local competition for most training triumphs. Hale’s other training credit came from the pacer Roboticle, who won the 10th contest after a 1:59.1 come-from-behind performance for driver Chuck Connor, Jr.

Downs Doings: A track record performance by Jacob’s Winner was overlooked in last Friday evening’s hubbub. The 1:56.1 effort produced by the brown son of Credit Winner in capturing Vernon’s ninth race on October 5 turned out to be the fastest mile by a 3-year-old trotting gelding in the track’s 54-year history, eclipsing the former 1:57 record set by Meadowbranch Hans back in 1993. Jimmy Whittemore did the catch driving for trainer John Roach and owner Louise Lavec…Howard Okusko, Jr., teaming the trotter Sir Prize Hall, and Josh Marks, steering the trotter Cool Touch, each posted a Thursday triumph, with the former leading the latter 83-81 in driving victories after 73 racing programs…After finishing second in Thursday’s 10th test, the pacer Ironstone Noble lit up the payoff board with returns of $55.00 to place and $57.00 to show…This Friday’s (October 12) 11-race card, which features the week’s $10,000 Open Handicap Trot, begins at 6:45 p.m…Vernon’s video gaming facility operates from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, while its daily simulcast sessions begin at 11:00 a.m.