Vernon, N.Y. -- Pantheon Hanover ($4.50) lived up to his
billing as the 5-4 favorite in the featured $7,500 Miracle Mile Pace at Vernon
Downs, stalking live cover on the far turn and vaulting clear to a 3-1/2 length
triumph.
The 4-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding was no part of a
:25.4 first quarter duel between Sassy Hanover (Claude Huckabone, III) and All
Stienam (John MacDonald), settling second from last in the select field of six.
As Panpero Firpo (Brett Derue) emerged from midpack to head outer flow at
race's midpoint, Chris Lems angled Pantheon Hanover second-over to stalk
steadily improving cover through middle splits of :53.4 and 1:21.3. As the
pacesetters began to toil, Pantheon Hanover swung three-wide, pushing to the
fore at head-stretch and drawing clear at will. Behind Pantheon Hanover's 1:50
mile, the first-over Panpero Firpo continued his rally to take second, while
All Stienam saved third from the pocket.
Trainer Dave Dewhurst co-owns Pantheon Hanover with Philip
Hale. For Lems, the featured win was one of three on the night. John MacDonald
also recorded a driving hat trick on the nine-race program.
As no one hit the 50¢ Pick 5, a carryover of $256.53 will
head to Thursday (June 9) night's card. Post time for the 10-race program is 6:45
p.m. Eastern.
