by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Newcomer Desperatehousewife saved the drama for last in the $6,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs on Thursday night, June 26.

Trainer Todd Ratchford did the steering in the night’s top trotting test as Desperatehousewife, fifth in the early going, rallied from third at the three-quarter mark and closed from second in stretch to win, drawing away by four lengths.

The fast-closing triumph was the first in 2008 for the 6-year-old mare, who has banked $32,110 in 17 season’s starts, increasing her lifetime earnings to more than $230,000. The California-bred is shared in ownership by Jean MacDonell, Ethelyn Carol Campbell, Wayne Corini and Scott Jaconetty.

Cyber Hall turned in the fastest trotting mile of the evening after Howard Okusko, Jr. steered him through a tight pylon path opening and on to a lifetime best 1:56.2 tally. It marked the second local score for the 4-year-old high-stepper, who is owned by the Purple Haze Stable and trained by Jessica Okusko. He paid a night high $83.50 for finishing first.

Josh Marks produced his second three-win performance in two nights of current competition at the Downs, scoring with the trotter A Perfect Stranger, in 1:58.4 for trainer Joe Sansone and owner Deborah Fobes, the trotter Hanger Pride N, in 1:59 for top race-winning trainer and owner Tracy Brainard, and the pacer Yoko Bono, in 1:55.3 for trainer Lonny Hale and owners Rocco Manzi and Paul Tandimayer.

Downs Doings: Brainard leads defending champ Hale 24-23 in training triumphs after 29 programs…Hanger Pride N joined the pacer Artachebythenumber as the only three-time winning equines thus far in June…The Downs will conduct a handicapping contest during Friday’s 11-race card that begins at 6:55 p.m…Saturday’s agenda includes a fishing pole giveaway and six divisions of a New York Sires Stake for 3-year-old male pacers during a 12-race line-up that also starts at 6:55 p.m…The track’s weeklong afternoon and evening simulcasts begin daily at 11:00 a.m., while its 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. on Friday and Saturday. More information can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.