Mcbardle (Brad Irvine) got up with a late burst for his first win since April in the $5,479 top pacing condition at Vernon Downs on Friday, July 4.

Dude With Tude (Jimmy Whittemore) reached the front at the quarter in :27.2 before Simple Man (Steeven Genois) re-took from the pocket heading to the backstretch and led to the half in :57.  Mississippi Rabbit (Leon Bailey) then took his turn on the lead hung up three-quarters in 1:26. As they reached the stretch, eventual place finisher Simple Man and show finisher Mississippi Rabbit continued to slug it out, but Mcbardle ($13.80) joined the party in mid-stretch and drove by in time to win by a neck in 1:54.4.

Mcbardle, a five-year-old gelding by Mcardle-Bubby Jo, is owned by Gordon Swift and trained by Jeff Sorenson. He is two-for-12 this season and has won nine of 68 career starts with earnings of $52,637.

Mr French dominated the $5,479 conditioned co-feature. He reached the top for Whittemore from post seven and set down :28.2 and :58.1 early fractions before drawing away to three-quarters in 1:27.3 and cruising to victory in 1:57.1. Tymal Loverboy (Genois) was 4-3/4 lengths adrift in place with Telenovela (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) third.

Jody Weidman owns and trains Mr French ($7.80), a 10-year-old Mutineer-French Doll gelding. Friday's win was his first in 12 appearances this year. The veteran is 23-for-212 lifetime and has earned $157,168.

Leon Bailey drove three winners on the card. Luke Carswell had a training double.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday with a post time of 5:05 p.m. Fireworks follows live racing.

(Vernon Downs & Standardbred Canada)