by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Miss Robin’s Magic and Saver were Open co-feature winners on the pace and trot, respectively, during Thursday’s (August 30) Anniversary Night 11-race program at Vernon Downs.

Trainer Chip Zombick did the driving for his wife, trainer Tabatha Zombick, as Miss Robin’s Magic, sitting fourth at the three-quarter mark, exploited a late-stretch opening in the inside pylon path and rallied to nip the pace-setting Amy’s Dreamboat by a head in Thursday’s opening event, a $10,000 Open Handicap for pacing mares.

The 1:55.1 performance marked the third win in succession for the 4-year-old daughter of Magical Mike and her fifth triumph (all at Vernon) in 14 current outings. Myron Ekstein, and Mike and William Pozefsky own the career winner of $20,258.

“(Miss Robin’s Magic) has been racing really well of late,” said driver Zombick. “I just wanted to give her a good trip and see what developed at the end of the mile, and things worked out for us. I think she’s realizing her potential over this big track at Vernon.”

Saver also benefited from a perfect journey in Thursday’s 10th test, the week’s $10,000 Open Handicap Trot. With Jimmy Whittemore steering for part-owner/trainer Benny Eggers, the 4-year-old son of Credit Winner followed the leader, Celebrity J Lo, until deep stretch before spurting to a neck triumph, his second in a row and third (all at the Downs) in 14 season’s appearances.

The 1:57.1 clocking missed his career best time (earned on August 23) by one tick of the timer. The Watermark Farm and Millenium Realty also own the lifetime winner of $45,959.

“Saver has turned into a really nice horse under Benny’s (Eggers) tutelage here at Vernon during the last month or so,” said Whittemore, currently the third leading dash-winning reinsman at the meet. “He’s a good horse to drive and, tonight, we lucked out with a perfect journey.”

Josh Marks, Vernon’s top driver after 56 programs, increased his win total to 63 after first-place finishes behind the trotter Giambi, trained by Tracy Brainard and owned by Donald Brainard, and pacer Love You Tender, conditioned by Joe De Carlo for the M D K Racing Stable.

Current dash-winning runner-up Howard Okusko, Jr. and Chuck Connor, Jr. also brought home two winners during Thursday’s program.

Downs Doings: Thursday’s card, which featured several promotional events, marked one year of operation by the Vernon Downs Racing and Gaming management group…Miss Robin’s Magic joined fellow pacers Whopper and Yankee Arnie, as well as the trotters Ginger Girl and Valley Crown in a tie at three for most consecutive victories at the meet…The Downs will present a nine-race card, spotlighting the week’s top pacers, at 6:45 p.m. this Saturday night (September 1), and complete its Labor Day weekend with a special nine-event program on Monday (September 3), that will get underway at 1:15 p.m…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 begin at 11:00 a.m.