by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Smooth Finish, One’s All I Need and Rising Sun were divisional winners in Thursday night’s (Sept. 17) $38,500 late-closing contest for New York-bred 3-year-old filly pacers at Vernon Downs.

The favorite Smooth Finish ($4.30) raced at or near the lead throughout Thursday’s $12,800 second race and won by a neck over Calico Moon in 1:55.1. Jimmy Whittemore, the track’s driving leader through 68 programs, did the teaming for trainer Edward Hart and the Fred Monteleone Stable as the bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Miss Paper Wazoo earned her fourth score in 16 current attempts and hiked her career earnings to $38,244.

Fotowon photo

One’s All I Need captured her late-closer split in 1:55.1.

One’s All I Need ($6.30), the crowd’s choice in Thursday’s $12,900 fourth event, rallied from fifth in the early going to gain the lead entering the stretch drive, and then drew off to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:55.1. Ten-time track driving champ Howard Okusko, Jr. did the teaming for his wife, current track training leader Jessica Okusko, as the bay daughter of Art Major-Brave Wind earned her maiden victory.

“This was very special as she is our first homebred to make it to the races,” said Wanda Polisseni of the Purple Haze Stables, who shares ownership of the $15,468-winner with George Wyman.

Okusko also sat in for his wife in Thursday’s $12,800 sixth race and steered Rising Sun ($10.20) to a come-from-behind 1:55.2 triumph. Advancing from fourth at the half and second entering pay dirt, the bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Art In The Park out-hoofed Sinful Cindy to the finish by a half-length, earning a new win mark and her fourth tally of the season. The career winner of $45,088 is shared in ownership by Steve Demeter, Herbert Burns III and Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc.

Okusko secured his 11th triple at the meet after guiding the pacer Six Of Hearts to a 1:53.4 lifetime best score in Thursday’s $5,400 eighth event, which proved to be the fastest mile of the evening. It was also a hat trick for Jessica Okusko, who enjoys a 53-48 advantage over defending conditioning champ Tracy Brainard with 22 programs remaining in Vernon’s 56th season. Conrad Zurich and the Purple Haze Stables own the lifetime winner of $174,183.