Vernon, N.Y. -- Fresh off his 1,000th career driving win,
taken with Jessica Okusko trainee Manny in a $39,900 New York Sire Stakes event
at Monticello Raceway on Monday, Chris Lems posted a four-win night at Vernon
Downs on Thursday (June 9) evening.
The 29-year-old South Dakota native captured the evening's
featured $7,500 Miracle Mile Pace for distaffers, sustaining a first-over bid
with Super Soph ($4.60) on the far turn to reel in the pacesetting Pancakes
(Fern Paquet, Jr.) and subsequently stave off a late push from the second-over
Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) for a 1:52.3 triumph. Jackie Rousse trains
the 6-year-old Admirals Galley mare for owner Mark Wamp.
Lems also prevailed with Kyler's Valentine ($6.40, 1:55.1),
Grecale As ($5.30, 1:57.3) and Thats My Dream ($8.50, 1:57) on the 10-race
card.
The 50¢ Pick 5 was hit, yielding $291.50 on the winning
combination of 6-6-4-3-7. Racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (June 10),
with post time slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
