by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Track record holder Enough Talk again let his actions speak for himself during a breezy 1:55.3 victory in the $10,000 featured eighth event at Vernon Downs on Thursday night (August 9).

Taking on seven of the best trotters on the grounds, Enough Talk went right to the front from the outside post position and cruised through splits of :26.2, :56.3 and 1:26.1 en route to a solid one length score, his third at the meet, fourth in his last five outings and fifth on the campaign. Matt Butcher, Jr. did the teaming for trainer Paul Kelley as the rapid striding 4-year-old gelded son of Enjoy Lavec raised his season’s winnings to $42,240 after 12 starts for the Crossing Paths Farm.

Back on June 28, the career winner of more than $231,000 became the fastest trotter in Vernon’s 54-year history on the basis of a 1:53.3 Open triumph.

Jimmy Whittemore, currently the third leading dash-winning driver at the Downs, posted three victories on the evening, including a 1:54.4 upset score with the pacer Serenade For Sonia in Thursday’s second race that proved to be the quickest mile of the evening. George Deak, Jr. trains the 5-year-old mare for owner Fred Apker. In delivering a personal best record, The Firepan offspring paid $57.50 to win.

Josh Marks and Chuck Connor, Jr. each chalked up two victories during Thursday’s nine-race card. Marks’ double gives him 53 first-place finishes at the meet, one less than current race-winning leader and defending dash champ Howard Okusko, Jr.

For Connor, it was his sixth two-win effort at the Downs this year.

Theater Production also used front striding tactics to record a 1:56.1 tally in Thursday’s $5,460 secondary trot. It was the second local triumph at the meet for the 8-year-old veteran, who has salted away more than $235,600 during his classy career for owner Robert Blackman, Jr. Ruel (Dude) Goodblood, Jr. drove for his wife, trainer Whitney Goodblood.

Downs Doings: A dead-heat for win between the pacers My Girl Lora and Island Sand in Thursday’s ninth race was the third for the top spot on the payoff board in 47 completed programs…In addition to offering an 11-race live card starting at 6:45 p.m. this Saturday (August 11), the Downs will simulcast a doubleheader program from The Meadows racetrack in Pennsylvania starting at 12:00 noon that includes the 41st edition of the Adios Stake for 3-year-old pacers…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 start at 11:00 a.m.