Vernon, NY — Poker Play (Justin Huckabone) and Taken Control (Barton Dalious) took the co-features at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 20).

Poker Play powered to a new lifetime mark in Friday’s featured trot at Vernon Downs. Fotowon photo.

Poker Play ($4.10) pounced late to win the Open 4 Trot.

Some Royalty (John MacDonald) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :27 before rating the half in :57. Poker Play made his move first-up around the final turn, but Some Royalty maintained the lead to three-quarters in 1:26.1. Turning for home, Some Royalty was the one to beat but Poker Play came flying down the lane to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.3. Some Royalty settled for second; Give Angel Credit (Joe Nassimos) finished third.

Poker Play is a 5-year-old gelding by Yankee Glide trained by Kerin Warner for owners Donn Lewandrowski and Gail Farrell. It was his fourth win of 2022 and 13th of his career.

Taken Control ($4.20) fired late to win a thriller in the Open 4 Fillies and Mares Pace.

Sweet Style (Adam Capizzano) led to the first quarter in :26.4, but the lead was gone as Tinker Taxi (Justin Huckabone) grabbed control heading around the first turn and pulled the half back to :57.1. Milleniums Girl (Josh Kinney) was the next one to take the lead as she blew right by down the backstretch. San Franny (Joe Nasimos) came first-over around the far turn and battled with Milleniums Girl around the final turn, taking over at the 1:26 three-quarters. Turning for home, the race was wide open. Lorrie Sue (Frank Affrunti) grabbed a short lead in the stretch, but Taken Control came out of the clouds and snuck by to win in a lifetime best of 1:54.2. Lorrie Sue had to settle for second with Milleniums Girl holding on for third.

Taken Control is a 4-year-old mare by Control The Moment owned by Paula Sarcone and trained by Jeff Sorenson. It was her third straight win of the season. She now has 10 career wins.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (May 21). Post time is 6:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.