by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The favorite Smoky Bones came through for his backers in the crowd of 3,106 with a 1:54 triumph in the $7,000 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday night (September 9).

Trainer Howard Okusko, Jr., who teamed three winners here last Saturday, completed a driving double in the night’s eighth event after he guided Smokey Bones to a two and three-quarter length tally for owners George Wyman and the Purple Haze Stables LLC. Okusko had guided the pacer Wall Street Wally to a 1:55.3 victory for owner James Van Alstyne in the $4,410 seventh session.

While Murphy’s Best was breezing through fast early fractions, Smoky Bones rallied from fifth at the half to gain the lead entering the homestretch. The frisky four-year-old gelding outpaced Manhardt through the lane, with Chianaglia closing fast for third.

It was the second straight Vernon victory and the seventh season’s score for Smoky Bones, who raised his lifetime bankroll to more than $113,400.

Peter Gerry and area horseman Vladimir Melnichenko each captured $3,000 divisions of the CKG Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters during Saturday’s 10-race program.

Gerry gained his front-ending triumph with Amy Cable’s 4-year-old gelding Tuscany T in the first race, while Melnichenko teamed his 6-year-old gelding Cross Creek Whiz to a comfortable score in the fifth event. The Cable-trainee Tuscany T earned a 2:02.4 career speed mark with his triumph, while Cross Creek Whiz, trained by Vernon veteran Bill Arthurs, posted a 1:58.4 clocking.

“It was great; very exciting,” said Melnichenko, a resident of Fly Creek, after earning his first ever Billings score at the Downs.

Celebrated drivers Brian Sears, Cat Manzi and Ron Pierce are expected to be in action when Vernon’s fall campaign continues on Thursday night (September 14) with the finals of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds. The track is also offering daily simulcast programs beginning at 11:00 a.m.