by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga and Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — A field of six of the top trotters in North America will go to the post in the eighth race at Vernon Downs on Friday, July 4, in the $137,000 Credit Winner Final. Vernon Downs is holding a special post time of 1:15 p.m. for the holiday card on Friday afternoon.

Early favorite for the Credit Winner final is San Remo Kosmos from the Jimmy Takter Stable, with Jim Morrill, Jr. listed to drive. The 5-year-old son of S J’s Photo has won two of his 14 starts thus far in 2008 with seasonal earnings of more than $139,000. In his last start San Remo Kosmos finished third in the $200,000 Titan Cup at The Meadowlands, timed in 1:52.4 behind Corleone Kosmos and Arch Madness.

Also looking to be crowned Credit Winner champion will be American Lane from the Carl Cito, Jr. barn with Catello Manzi listed on the driving assignment. The 6-year-old son of Primrose Lane has won seven of his 20 seasonal starts and carries a 2008 bankroll of more than $250,000 for David Scharf and Jerry Silva.

The lone mare in the Credit Winner final is Flash Lightning, who raced last week in the $357,613 Armbro Flight Final at Mohawk. The 4-year-old Dream Vacation mare finished fifth, timed in 1:54.2, but had traffic trouble from the 10-hole throughout the mile. Anthony Mannino trains Flash Lightning for the Lightning Stables. The driver assignment is still to be announced.

Here is the field for the $137,000 Credit Winner Final at Vernon Downs:

PP – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Up Front Ben – Jim Morrill, Jr. – Kelly O’Donnell
2 – Flash Lightning – TBA – Anthony Mannino
3 – Beach Nut Brand – Josh Marks – Mark Harder
4 – San Remo Kosmos – Jim Morrill, Jr. – Jimmy Takter
5 – American Lane – Catello Manzi – Carl Cito, Jr.
6 – Prayer I Am – Howard Okusko, Jr. – Kevin Thomas