by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Touch Of The Past won the $10,800 featured eighth event, while 36-year-old local horseman Claude Huckabone III achieved his 2,000th career driving victory during Saturday night’s (Nov. 13) 10-race program at Vernon Downs.

Fotowon photo

Claude Huckabone III won his 2,000th career race on Saturday.

Touch Of The Past ($4.70) closed from fourth in the final quarter and displayed the most lick in the lane to record a 1:52.3 victory in Saturday’s top Miracle Mile pacing contest, while Huckabone, son of Vernon veteran Claude Huckabone, Jr., converted a pocket-sitting trip behind his pacer Deau Best into a memorable 1:55.4 triumph in the second session.

Joe Nassimos did the teaming for trainer Howard Okusko, Sr. as betting favorite Touch Of The Past earned his sixth season’s score and 15th lifetime victory. Rocco Manzi and Paul Tandlmayer own the career-winner of more than $68,000.

Huckabone, who grew up in Vernon’s backstretch and posted his initial driving victory here, realized his 1,000th lifetime win at Monticello Raceway in 2004.

“This is a nice milestone in my chosen career,” said the personable Utica, N.Y. native. “I’m glad I got this one here at Vernon, where it all began.”

Huckabone, who also finished first with Lu Ann Huckabone’s pacer Willfully in Saturday’s fifth race and the pacer Joan’s Bad Boy, owned by Bennett Velocci and John Alutto, Jr., in the sixth race, increased his win total for the meet to 47.

In addition to Huckabone’s triple, Ruel “Dude” Goodblood, Jr. collected a pair of victories during the track’s 88th program.