Margaret and Amy Butler’s J A T O ($2.60) won the featured $9,900 Miracle Mile/Open Handicap Trot on Friday (September 16) evening, pressing into the far turn and edging clear in the straight to a decisive 1:54 triumph.

The four-year-old Big Apple Deli gelding came away last in the compact field of five, only commencing his rally upon reaching the backstretch after My Lucky Word (Fern Paquet Jr.) seized command from Lucid Thoughts (John MacDonald) after a :27.1 first quarter. J A T O advanced first-over to within a length of My Lucky Word through a :57.1 half and proceeded to intensify the pressure on the far turn before edging clear at head-stretch. J A T O wore down My Lucky Word drew off to a two-length victory over pocket rival Lucid Thoughts, while Gimme The Cash (Claude Huckabone III) stayed on for third off a live second-over journey.

Chris Lems drove the 30-time winner for trainer Howard Okusko. J A T O boasts a near-perfect record at Vernon Downs, with victories in seven of his eight local starts.

(With files from Vernon Downs)