Franky scores Vernon feature in near record time

Frankyluvsmeatbals displayed speed and stamina while pacing to a 1:51.2 triumph in Saturday night’s (Aug. 15) $9,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Making his local season’s debut as the crowd’s wagering choice in the week’s Open handicap, Frankyluvsmeatbals ($3.50) left the starting gate with gusto and stayed in front throughout the mile test, drawing off in the stretch to win by a little more than six lengths.

 

Missing the track’s standard for 4-year-old geldings by one-fifth of a second, the black son of The Panderosa-Tospanini recorded his second current victory and 13th all-time. Maryann Plano owns the career-winner of $105,857, who earned his 1:50.1 record at The Meadowlands last year.

 

The speedy score enabled trainer Rick Plano to post a driving double in his 2009 Downs debut. The 57-year-old Frankfort (NY)-native also teamed the Howard Okusko, Sr.-conditioned pacer Badlands George to a 1:54.4 tally in Saturday’s fifth race for owners Thomas and Kimberly Frarey.

 

Driver Claude Huckabone, Jr. (the pacers Cowboy Gold and Glen B) and trainer Jody Weidman (Cowboy Gold and pacer Up Front Rudy) also charted two first-place finishes during Saturday’s 10-race program. (Vernon Downs)