Feeling the hot breath of several Open-1 challengers at the head of the stretch, Vacation Day slipped into a faster gear and drew off to a 1:55.4 trotting triumph in Friday night’s $10,000 featured 10th event at Vernon Downs

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After carving out fractions of :26.4, :56.4 and 1:27.1, Vacation Day ($12.80) was pressured by as many as four contending rivals entering the final furlong. With Fern Paquet, Jr. steering for trainer Jamie Paquet, the gritty five-year-old gelding didn’t panic. Instead, he picked up the pace and spurted to a one and a half length score over the second wagering choice, Unshakeable. The favourite Scorpion Moon finished two lengths back in third.

Friday’s first-place finish is the second locally this season, the third of the year and the 11th all-time for the son of Dream Vacation-Shutter Hanover. Trainer Paquet and the In Front Racing stable own the lifetime winner of $120,602. The final clocking was just two-fifths-of-a-second off of his career-best win mark.

Dan Daley won with the trotters Mc Tinys Hope (a 1:58.4 maiden victory) and RC Serpent (1:56.2) to claim his second double of the 23-card campaign.

Provisional pilot Chris McCracken earned his initial win at the meet after guiding the trotter Crestwood Patriot to a career-fastest 1:57.3 tally in Friday’s sixth session.

Vernon will simulcast the Belmont Stakes card, including the final leg of Thoroughbred racing’s “Triple Crown” at approximately 6:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.

(Vernon Downs)