Lifetime mark needed to win Vernon feature

Mister Miami (So Surreal) and driver Joe Nassimos captured the $7,500 featured harness racing pace at Vernon Downs on Friday (July 15).

Mister Miami ($7.70) battled with Samson J (Barton Dalious) all the way to the first turn.  Mister Miami got to the quarter first in :26.2.  The two pacers continued to slug it out down the backstretch as Mister Miami used a :29.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.2.  Mister Miami shook free around the final turn and led to three-quarters in 1:24.2.

As they reach the stretch Mister Miami put on the after burners and jogged to a lifetime best of 1:51.4, Northern Rein (Steeven Genois) came up to finish second.  Dull Roar (Justin Huckabone) took home third money.

Mister Miami is a 7-year-old gelding trained by Jack McNeil for owners Kind Of A Big Stable and Sarah Harrington.  He paid $7.70 to win for his fourth triumph of this season.  He now has 12 career victories.

MISTER MIAMI REPLAY

Justin Huckabone had three wins on the card as he leads all drivers with 57 wins on the season.  Barton Dalious had a driving double as he is second on the list with 26 wins so far this year.  Ron Harp had a driving double on Friday as well.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (July 16).  Post time for is 6:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs