by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Josh Marks had a lot to say about what transpired during Tuesday night’s (August 28) 11-race program at Vernon Downs.

Whittemore captured races four through seven, while Marks, the track’s leading dash winner after 55 cards, secured a pair of first-place finishes. They also tied for fastest mile of the evening honors, Whittemore steering the pacer Finn Fiedler to a 1:55.3 triumph in Tuesday’s fourth race, and Marks equaling that clocking behind the pacer Daibin N in the eighth event.

Trained by Roy Dinges, Finn Fiedler forged to the front on the backstretch and maintained his advantage en route to a three length tally, his first this season for owner Joseph DeFelice. The career-winner of more than $151,200 paid $18.80, $11.20 and $3.90 across the board.

Competing as the crowd’s wagering choice, Daibin N survived a three-wide journey from sixth in the middle of his mile, then closed from second in the stretch to post a three length victory, his first at the Downs, but third this season for the M D K Racing Stable. The time was a win record for the Joe DeCarlo-trainee.

Whittemore’s other winners were with Barbara Bailey’s trotter Baileysirishdream, a 1:59.4 score in Thursday’s $10,000 division of the Kindergarten Classic Series for 2-year-old trotting fillies; Jason Topi’s pacer L B Maya Indian; and with Frank Ottaviano’s trotter Lady Marian. The talented teamster now trails Howard Okusko, Jr., 57-56, in the battle for second place in this season’s dash-winning derby.

Marks attained his 61st victory at the meet when he scored with Topi’s pacer Bolt Of Silk in the 10th contest.

Tuesday’s other divisions in the Kindergarten Classic for freshman male trotters were won by Looking Hanover, in 2:01.3 for driver Chuck Connor, Jr., trainer Bob Bencal and the Little E LLC ownership contingent, and The Big Bam, in 2:01.1 for driver Brian Mattison, trainer Paul Keller and the Kelley Racing and Robert Rosenheim Stables. Both sons of Muscles Yankee remain unbeaten after two starts.

Downs Doings: Baileysirishdream, a daughter of Matchem Hanover, has won all five of her lifetime outings…Looking Hanover, who owns a 2:01 win record, is the meet’s fastest 2-year-old trotting gelding… Pembroke Chip was a non-series freshman trotting winner on Tuesday, scoring in 2:01 for driver Bill Bailey, trainer Jack Bailey and owner/breeder William Varney…Dustin Miller secured his first pari-mutuel driving victory after he guided Wesley Miller’s pacer Victory Raider to a 1:56.3 upset tally in Tuesday’s 11th event, and made the tote board shine with a $54.50 win payoff…The Downs will celebrate its first anniversary under current management with an 11-race live program that will start at 6:45 p.m. this Thursday night (August 30)…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.