by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The veteran trotter Right Mind needed a break to capture Thursday night’s (May 22) $5,775 featured event at Vernon Downs — and he got one.

Leading for most of the mile test on a raw, rainy evening, Right Mind was passed in the final stride by Baileysirishdream, who crossed the finish line first, but was ruled to be off-stride by the judges.

Since he was only a head behind in second place, the judges ruled that Right Mind should be declared the winner due to the fact that Baileysirishdream was guilty of a lapped on break in stride at the finish of the race.

In being placed first, Right Mind picked up his second score in succession and third at the meet. Jimmy Whittemore, the track’s leading reinsman with 23 first-place finishes, did the teaming for defending training champ Lonny Hale and owner Joe Burns as the 6-year-old son of Balanced Image increased his lifetime winnings to more than $95,300, and became one of only three trotters to post a trio of victories after 14 current Vernon programs.

The trotters PBK Conman, owned by Michael Sorentino, Jr., and Crown Rules, registered to Catherine Burton, each earned their second Vernon victories of 2008 during Thursday’s nine-race program.

Downs Doings: The pacers Basilio Blue Chip and Noah’s Art are currently tops in Vernon victories with four each…Friday night’s live program will start at 6:55 p.m.…The Downs will present fireworks following Saturday night’s nine-race card…The track will offer a special 1:15 p.m. matinee program on Memorial Day, featuring the championship races by sex in the Empire Breeders Classic contests for 3-year-old trotters. Sister track Tioga Downs will showcase the Empire Breeders Classic title tests for 3-year-old pacers during its Sunday afternoon program, which also begins at 1:15…Vernon’s horsemen are invited to a complimentary cookout in Founders Park at the conclusion of Monday’s live racing program…The Downs will simulcast the entire Belmont Park program on Saturday, June 7, including the famed Belmont Stakes that will feature Big Brown’s attempt to capture Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.…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.