Whittemore, Marks share Vernon spotlight

August 29, 2007

Drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Josh Marks had a lot to say about what transpired during Tuesday night�s 11-race program at Vernon Downs as Whittemore captured races four through seven, and Marks, the track�s leading dash-winner after 55 cards, secured a pair of first-place finishes.

They also tied for fastest mile of the evening honors, Whittemore steering the pacer Finn Fiedler to a 1:55.3 triumph in the fourth race, and Marks equaling that clocking behind the pacer Daibin N in the eighth event.

Trained by Roy Dinges, Finn Fiedler forged to the front on the backstretch and maintained his advantage en route to a three-length tally, his first this season for owner Joseph De Felice. The career-winner of more than $151,200 paid $18.80, $11.20 and $3.90 across the board.

Competing as the crowd wagering choice, Daibin N survived a three-wide journey from sixth in the middle of his mile, then closed from second in the stretch to post a three-length victory, his first at the Downs, but third this season for the M D K Racing Stable. The time was a win record for the Joe De Carlo-trainee.

Whittemore�s other winners were with Barbara Bailey�s trotter Baileysirishdream, a 1:59.4 score in a $10,000 division of the Kindergarten Classic Series for 2-year-old trotting fillies; with Jason Topi�s pacer LB Maya Indian, and with Frank Ottaviano�s trotter Lady Marian. The talented teamster now trails Howard Okusko Jr. 57-56 in the battle for second place in this season dash-winning derby.

Marks attained his 61st victory at the meet when he scored with Topi�s pacer Bolt Of Silk in the 10th contest.

Tuesday�s other divisions in the Kindergarten Classic competition for freshman male trotters were won by Looking Hanover in 2:01.3 for driver Chuck Connor, Jr., trainer Bob Bencal and the Little E LLC ownership contingent, and The Big Bam, in 2:01.1 for driver Brian Mattison, trainer Paul Kelley and the Kelley Racing and Robert Rosenheim stables. Both sons of Muscles Yankee remain unbeaten after two starts.

DOWNS DOINGS�Baileysirishdream, a daughter of Matchem Hanover, has won all five of her lifetime outings�Looking Hanover, who owns a 2:01 win record, is the meet�s fastest 2-year-old trotting gelding� Pembroke Chip was a non-series freshman trotting winner on Tuesday, scoring in 2:01 for driver Bill Bailey, trainer Jack Bailey and owner-breeder William Varney�Dustin Miller secured his first pari-mutuel driving victory after he guided Wesley Miller�s pacer Victory Raider to a 1:56.3 upset tally in Tuesday�s 11th event, and made the toteboard shine with a $54.50 win payoff. (Vernon Downs)

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