Vernon, N.Y. -- Second choice Looney Dune ($5.20) protected
the early lead in a duel with 4-5 favorite Jinxy's Delight and sprinted away to
a 1:52.1 triumph in Thursday (July 14) evening's featured $6,500 top-level
Miracle Mile Mares Pace at Vernon Downs after rebuffing a second challenge off
the far turn.
Ben McNeil put the now 36-time winner in play from the
outset, pushing forward from midfield to duel with Jinxy's Delight (John
MacDonald) on approach to the clubhouse turn. The 8-year-old Bettor's Delight
mare won the early battle, forcing Jinxy's Delight to the pocket through a
:26.4 first quarter before maintaining control through intermediate splits of
:55.4 and 1:23.2. A quarter mile from home, Jinxy's Delight made a bid out of
the pocket, but Looney Dune accelerated clear off the corner while driven,
ultimately prevailing by 5-1/4 lengths. Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore)
narrowly collared the all-out Jinxy's Delight for second off a clear tracking
trip.
The win was Looney Dune's second in three tries, and her
third of the season. John McNeil III trains Looney Dune for owner Ellen McNeil.
John MacDonald and Chris Lems shared top driving honors on
the 10-race card, each capturing four of the evening's races.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (July 15)
evening, with the first of 12 races due off at 6:45 p.m. Eastern. The 50¢ Pick
5 features a carryover of $254.26 on the last five races of the program.
