Marks equals Vernon mark

Driver Josh Marks tied a record for most wins on a single Vernon Downs program with seven scores on Thursday night, including a 1:53.3 victory with Arbeedo in the $8,100 featured sixth race. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. established Vernon’s all-time single program record in 2008.

Starting out fifth in her Downs debut, Arbeedo was given an overland journey by the 27-year-old reinsman. She closed from second in the final quarter to earn a head triumph in the evening’s top Miracle Mile test for female pacers. It was the sixth career score for the 4-year-old daughter of Artsplace-Shoobeedobeedo, who is owned by trainer Tracy Brainard and Andrew Herzog.

Marks began his victory binge behind the trotter Neon Dream (1:59) in Thursday’s first race. He won the third race with the trotter Study Hall (1:59.3), the fifth with the trotter Frosty Flirt (1:56.3), the seventh with the pacer Pounne De Luxe (1:53.4), the eighth with the trotter Justice Wyoming (1:58.3)--equaling his current previous single program high here--and the last with the pacer Honey’s Luck (1:54.3).

Marks, the track’s top dash-winning driver in 2008 with 114 first-place finishes, raised his current victory total to 33 after 12 current programs.

Leading conditioner Brainard, who chalked up a single season record 101 training victories here in 2008, has 15 wins through May 20.

« Back