by
James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media
Coming
off three consecutive wins in the Open ranks at Buffalo, Lutetium ($5.30)
proved a gutsy 1:52.4 winner, taking a lifetime mark in the featured $10,000
Miracle Mile 1 Trot at Vernon Downs on Opening Night, April 11.
The
seven-year-old Credit Winner gelding stayed true to his past strategy, clearing
and setting a strong tempo, posting a :26.4 first quarter before facing
pressure on the far turn from a first-over Mc Tiny’s Hope (John
MacDonald). Lutetium responded strongly, digging in through the stretch
to stave off Mc Tiny’s Hope by 1-1/2 lengths in a dazzling 1:52.4 victory in
rein to Aaron Byron. Mc Tiny’s Hope held second, with the pocket-sitting
Grey Ice (Fern Paquet, Jr.) staying on for third.
Mark
Laidlaw trains the 24-time winner for owner Colleen Girdlestone.
Byron
swept the evening’s featured events, scoring an 8-1 upset win with Rocks N
Bagels in the $8000 Miracle Mile 2 distaff pacers. in first-over fashion,
beating a re-rallying Artic Byrd (Truman Gale) and the mid-race pacesetting
Asset Management (Fern Paquet, Jr.) in a lifetime best 1:53.
The
Opening Night card paid tribute to longtime racecaller Jim Moran, who retired
after calling the first race of the 2014 season. “We thank Jim for his many years of service to harness racing at Vernon Downs,” said Jason Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing at Vernon Downs. “We wish him nothing but the best in his retirement".
After the first race, Moran was recognized in the winner’s enclosure by staff, management, horsemen, and local dignitaries.
After the first race, Moran was recognized in the winner’s enclosure by staff, management, horsemen, and local dignitaries.
