J A T O picked up right where he left off in his return to Vernon Downs, earning his seventh victory in as many career starts over the Miracle Mile in Friday evening’s featured $9,900 Miracle Mile/Open Trot.
Chris Lems sent the four-year-old Big Apple Deli gelding right to the front, clearing Lucid Thoughts (John MacDonald) with ease through a :27.4 first quarter before immediately pulling the tempo back. J A T O’s stiffest challenge came on the far turn in the form when Pop I (Jay Randall) charged from last to press a :28 third quarter, but J A T O had no trouble parrying that challenge en route to a 1:54 victory over fast going. Lucid Thoughts, 2-1/4 lengths in arrears, saved second from the pocket, while Gimme The Cash (Claude Huckabone, III) made late gains to take third.
Howard Okusko trains 29-time winner J A T O ($3.70) for Margaret and Amy Butler.
In the sub-featured $7,900 Miracle Mile trotting event, My Lucky Word ($7.20) proved victorious, controlling all the terms and edging clear for a 1:54.2 triumph over Walk The Floor (Angus MacDonald) and Twice Too Nice (John MacDonald).
Fern Paquet, Jr. drove the four-year-old Lucky Chucky mare for owner Philip Hale and trainer Dave Dewhurst.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday evening, with the first of 13 races due off at 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)