by Jim Moran, publicity director, Vernon Downs
Vernon, NY — Veteran driver Gary Gibson captured three of Friday night’s nine races at Vernon Downs, including the week’s $5,000 Open trotting feature with Marian’s Man.
Tops in wins at the Downs from 1979 through 1981, Gibson rushed Marian’s Man to the front from sixth at the quarter and once in command the strong striding four-year-old gelding held off all challenges en route to a one and a half length triumph in 1:563. The seventh race clocking was a new record for the career-winner of more than $39,000 and the second fastest trotting mile of the meet.
In achieving his first Vernon victory of 2004, the Bill Andrews-trained Marian’s Man improved his season’s summary line to three wins, seven second place finishes and a pair of thirds in 18 attempts for owner Frank Ottaviano.
In recording his second three win program at the meet, Gibson teamed the Ray Van Dreason-conditioned pacer Front Page News to a front-striding 1:542 triumph in the sixth race for owners Ken Jacobs, Gus Johnston, Bob Barnello and Jim Kennedy, and he completed his “hat trick” behind the Cindy Ann Jerome owned and trained pacer Rockingham after a bold-going 1:57 mile in the $1,700 ninth event.
Vernon’s next live harness program will be Saturday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m.