by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The Big Cat clawed his way to a career best 1:56.3 victory in Friday night’s (Oct. 6) $5,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Jim Meittinis did the teaming for trainer Howard Okusko, Sr. as The Big Cat moved up from fifth at the quarter to gain the lead nearing the half, reached in :59.1. Shuffled back to second by Kid Conway around the final turn, the 4-year-old son of Lion King scrapped back in the stretch to eke out a neck decision over the pace-setter in the week’s top trotting test. As the betting favorite, he paid $4.10 to win.

The game effort gave The Big Cat his second win of 2006 — first at the Downs — and increased his lifetime bankroll to more than $207,000 for owner Gunther Unflat. The mile clocking trimmed nearly two seconds off his previous record.

Fred Apker’s 3-year-old pacer Double D Jeffrey equaled the night’s fastest clocking with his 1:56.3 triumph in the $2,700 sixth race. Jimmy Whittemore drove for trainer George Deak, Jr. as the black son of Space Shuttle secured his second win at the meet and sixth on the season.

DOWNS DOINGS: Four-time (1979-1981 and 1997) Vernon race-winning champion Gary Gibson died earlier in the day at a Syracuse hospital following a lengthy illness. He was 62. Funeral arrangements were incomplete as of this posting…In addition to Double D Jeffrey, the Purple Haze Stable’s 3-year-old filly pacer Wanda’s Choice and the Jesmeral Stable’s aged trotter Sundance Kid G also became two-time winners at the meet during the evening…Meittinis, Joe Nassimos and Bill Bailey each posted two driving victories during Friday’s 11-race card, while trainer Dave Dewhurst harnessed a pair of first-place finishers…Bailey, sitting in for his dad, trainer Jack Bailey, Vernon’s all-time driving champion, guided William Varney’s 2-year-old colt pacer Pembroke Crankcall to a 1:57.4 maiden-breaking triumph in Friday’s $2,100 second session…Saturday’s (Oct. 7) 10-race card, which features the week’s top pacing attractions, begins at 6:50 p.m.…The track also offers daily simulcast sessions starting at 11:00 a.m.