Leading driver Josh Marks, who last night tied a track single program record with seven victories (in nine races), battled back with four scores during Friday’s 10-race card at Vernon Downs, including a 1:56.3 triumph with Sharpshootennorris in the evening’s $9,100 featured sixth session
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Competing as the favourite in Friday’s Class A Miracle Mile trotting test, Sharpshootennorris went right to the front and hustled through splits of :29, :59.2 and 1:56.3 en route to a 1-1/4 length decision over Unshakeable, the second betting choice. He paid $3.20 to win.
The decisive victory was the third in a row at Vernon this season for the gritty seven-year-old gelding, who also sports a trio of third-place finishes in eight current outings for owner-trainer Tracy Brainard (three wins on the program) and her partner Gerard Stuchbury. The career winner of 23 races now shows lifetime earnings of $323,206.
Cross Creek Photo captured Friday’s Class B Miracle Mile trot after a 1:57.1 tally for driver-trainer Jody Weidman, who owns the six-year-old gelding along with Wayne Worden. It marked the Giant Hit offspring’s 20th career victory.
Tomorrow night’s offering includes four elimination divisions in this year’s Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old trotters, plus the week’s top pace.
(With files from Vernon Downs)