by Jim Moran, publicity director, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The fur was flying at the end of the $5,000 seventh race at Vernon Downs on Friday night (April 30) as Yankee Fur rallied to capture the week’s $5,000 Open-1 Trot in 1:57³, fastest mile by a diagonally-gaited performer at the five night old meet.

Ray Watson drove for owner/trainer Paul Messina as Yankee Fur followed horses for most of the mile test before closing resolutely from fifth at the top of the stretch and surging to a one and a half length victory over Greatest Hit.

The fast-closing tally was the first at Vernon, but the fourth in 13 current appearances for the five-year-old high-stepper, who increased his lifetime bankroll to more than $26,000. The time trimmed two and two-fifths seconds off his previous win record.

Queenie Rocks gave Maria St. Pierre her initial training triumph after Jack Rice, benefiting from a pocket trip, guided the four-year-old mare to a career-best 1:57⁴ triumph in the evening’s $4,000 Open-2 Trot. Sam Rice owns the lifetime winner of nearly $20,000, who gained his second score of the meet and third in eight season’s starts.

Josh Kinney’s veteran claiming pacer King Mark increased his all-time racing spoils to more than $324,000 with a front-striding 1:57 triumph for driver Bill Bailey in Friday’s fourth event.

Albert Doolen’s Muskrat Bud became the meet’s sixth two-time winner with a career-best 1:54¹ tally in Friday’s ninth race. Claude Huckabone, Jr. earned a driving double with the bold-going triumph.

Vernon’s sixth program of 2004 will take place Saturday night (May 1) at 6:30 p.m.