Nicole came within one-fifth of a second of the Vernon Downs record for two-year-old trotting fillies during a division of Saturday night’s $178,605 New York Sires Stakes feature

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With the track’s defending driving champion Josh Marks teaming for trainer-owner George Teague, Jr. and his partner, Elmer Fannin, Nicole took control of the fourth race after a :59.4 half and continued on to a two-length triumph in 1:58.2, which just missed the local standard for this age, sex and gait, set by Armbro Prowess in 1996.

It was the first career outing for the quick-footed daughter of Conway Hall-New Ideal, who prepped for the race with a 2:00.3 qualifying victory at The Meadowlands on June 20.

Friday’s other NYSS divisional winners were Windemerealfiredup (Dream Vacation-Mrs. Schreiber) in 1:59.2; Munis Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Hustle N Muscle) in 2:00.3; Tuesdays With Mom (Credit Winner-Princess Deanna) in 2:00; Dreama Littledream (Dream Vacation-Melodic Point) in 2:00; Secret Credit (Credit Winner-Secret Choice) in 2:01, and Amazing Adventure (Malabar Man-Armbro Martini) in 2:00.

Fifty-six freshman trotting fillies participated in Vernon’s first NYSS offering of 2009, and, with the exception of Munis Blue Chip, who owns a 2:00.1 record, six of the seven sectional winners earned lifetime marks.

Marks, who also steered Amazing Adventure for trainer/co-owner Mark Capone and his partner Michael Butler, produced four winners during Friday’s 10-race card. It marked the third time he has accomplished this feat at the meet.

Marks’s other victories came behind the Tracy Brainard-conditioned trotters Eng Amer Davanti, in the $7,000 Open-2 test, and Yursa Hanover.

Relative newcomer Brick bested seven Open foes with a front-striding 1:53.4 effort in Friday’s $9,000 sixth session, that tied a similar clocking by Baileysirishdream on June 26 as the fastest trotting miles in 36 programs. Chuck Connor, Jr. sat in for his son, trainer Brian Connor, as the seven-year-old Conway Hall-Tees-offspring earned his fourth current triumph and 24th lifetime win. Peter Blood, Gary Piontkowski, Rick Berks and Stephen O’Toole share ownership of the career winner of $118,941.

Saturday’s nine-race card, which features the week’s top pacing races and the Miss Vernon contest, will start at 6:55 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)