Fans were treated to a solid card Friday evening at Vernon Downs, with Poker Play and Taken Control win their respective feature races at the oval.
Poker Play rallied for driver Justin Huckabone to take home top honours in the Open 4 Trot Some Royalty (John MacDonald) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :27. She used a :30-second quarter to be first to the half in :57. Poker Play made his move first-up as they headed around the final turn. Some Royalty led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they made the turn for home Some Royalty was the one to beat but Poker Play came flying down the lane to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.3. Some Royalty had to settle for second. Give Angel Credit (Joe Nassimos) finished third.
Poker Play is a five-year-old gelding by Yankee Glide. He is trained by Kerin Warner for owners Donn Lewandrowski and Gail Farrell. It was win number four of 2022. He now owns 13 career victories. He paid $4.10 to win.
Taken Control and driver Bart Dalious also used last-second heroics to claim top prize in the Open 4 Fillies & Mares Pace.
Sweet Style (Adam Capizano) led to the first quarter in :26.4. The lead was gone as Tinker Taxi (Justin Huckabone) grabbed the control heading around the first turn and led to the half in :57.1. Milleniums Girl (Josh Kinney) was the next one to take the lead as she blew right by down the backstretch.
San Franny (Joe Nasimos) came first-over around the far turn and battled with Milleniums Girl around the final turn. San Franny was first to three-quarters in 1:26. As they made the turn for home it was wide open. Lorrie Sue (Frank Affrunti) grabbed a short lead in the stretch but Taken Control came out of the clouds and snuck by to win in a lifetime best of 1:54.2. Lorrie Sue had to settle for second with Milleniums Girl holding on to take third.
Taken Control is a four-year-old mare by Control The Moment. She is owned by Paula Sarcone and trained by Jeff Sorenson. It was her third straight win of the season. She now has 10 career wins. She paid $4.20 to win.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (May 21). Post time for is 6:05 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)