by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The productive pacer Dear Old Boy regained his winning form with a hard-fought 1:54.2 performance in the $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs on Saturday night (July 7).

Trainer and part-owner Gates Brunet did the driving in the week’s Open-1 Pace and gunned Dear Old Boy into the lead after Smoky Bonz steamed to the quarter in :27.4. Once in command, the gritty gelding maintained his advantage to the finish, defeating both Smoky Bonz and the closing National Artchive by a nose, with Matrix’s Z Tam a head back in fourth.

Saturday’s stellar score was the first for Dear Old Boy since he delivered back-to-back Open victories here in early May. The 5-year-old son of Village Jove has secured three of his five current tallies at the Downs for Brunet and his ownership partner Theodore Gewertz, while elevating his career bankroll to more than $366,000.

The Purple Haze Stable’s Ruffled Tux turned in the fastest mile during the 11-race card, a convincing 1:53.3 victory in Saturday’s $8,000 eighth event with trainer Howard Okusko, Jr. doing the teaming. The quick-footed 4-year-old son of Lislea led at every station and missed his lifetime mark by three-fifths of a second while recording his second season’s score, first at the Downs.

Veteran Vernon teamster Bill Bailey chalked up three wins during the evening, including a 1:55.4 triumph with William Varney’s precocious pacer Pembroke Dandy, who missed being the fastest freshman at the meet by one tick of the timer. It was the first career win for the brown son of Pacific Fella, who also sports a third place finish in his two official trips to the track. Jack Bailey, Vernon’s all-time driving champion, conditions the promising youngster.

In recognition of the July 7, 2007 date, Vernon’s management conducted a “Lucky 7’s” promotion, offering a free $2 wager to any fan who selected the favorite How Forever Feels, a starter from post seven in Saturday’s seventh race. Hemmed in third at the head of the stretch, Ruel (Dude) Goodblood, Jr. guided the veteran pacer through the slimmest of openings in the pylon path and on to a 3-1/2 length triumph over Mr Cammander. In addition to delighting his many backers, the 8-year-old son of Stand Forever forged his first local tally and second on the campaign. Goodblood’s wife, Whitney, trains the career winner of $225,685 for owner Robert Blackman, Jr.

“It was a fun promotion that went over very well,” said Jason Settlemoir, vice-president of racing and simulcasting for both Vernon and Tioga Downs. “It was an exciting race, and the result pleased hundreds of fans while earning them an extra betting bonus, which was nice.”

Claude Huckabone, III, currently the meet’s fourth winningest driver, compiled two wins for the second straight program and now owns 29 tallies in 34 programs.

Downs Doings: The 2-year-old colt pacer Daley Deposit Only (Dan Daley driving) is still the meet’s fastest freshman on the basis of a 1:55.3 victory last month…Part-owner Bailey also steered the 2-year-old colt pacer Isosceles to a 1:57.3 maiden-breaking triumph for trainer Ann Yurenka and their ownership partner Nancy Cole…First post for next Tuesday night’s (July 10) 12-race card, which features a $155,000 New York Sires Stake for 3-year-old colt/gelding trotters, will be 6:00 p.m., one hour later than the usual Tuesday starting time. Pending regulatory approval, the Downs plans to make 6:00 p.m. the starting time for the meet’s nine remaining Tuesday programs…The complex’s video gaming facility now 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.