The steady-striding Yankee Manny turned in the fastest trotting mile of the season at Vernon Downs with his 1:54.2 triumph in Friday night’s $9,500 Open Handicap Trot

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Trainer Frank Davis was at the controls as Yankee Manny ($5.20) survived a parked out journey and still had enough left in reserve to defeat the pacesetting Love U Overandover by one and a quarter lengths. It marked the second win in succession in this top class for the six-year-old son of Yankee-Glide-Yankee Minuet, who also sports a second place finish after three Vernon ventures thus far this season. The win was the 23rd lifetime for the $123,822 career earner, who is owned by Brian Green.

The time resulted in a new win-mark for the speedy gelding and it trimmed one-fifth of a second off the previous current trotting standard that had been shared by Yankee Manny and Aruba Vacation.

Bill Bailey, driving Edit Away, and Truman Gale, aboard Sir Westside Z Tam, were involved in an unusual accident on the track while preparing for Friday’s ninth race. Bailey was taken to an area hospital for a possible back injury, while Gale didn’t appear to be seriously hurt. There was no post-race report available on the condition of the pacers involved.

(Vernon Downs)