Vernon, N.Y. -- After Vernon Downs leading driver John
MacDonald notched five victories on Wednesday night's card, current runner-up
Chris Lems posted a natural grand slam to start off Thursday (August 11)
evening's nine-race program--taking the featured $7,500 Miracle Mile trot with
My Lucky Word ($7.00) as part of the sequence.
Lems sent the 4-year-old Lucky Chucky mare to a clear lead
in the compact field of four, controlling the terms through easy splits of
:28.1, :57.2, and 1:26.3 before posting a :27.4 closing quarter to evade a late
push from even-money favorite Twice Too Nice (John MacDonald), who stalked
intently from the pocket. My Lucky Word prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.2
for her 13th career win. Dave Dewhurst trains My Lucky Word for owner Philip
Hale.
Lems also teamed up with Cascata ($6.10, 1:53), Patton
($3.70, 1:57.3), and Illusionsndreams ($9.20, 1:57.3) to lead all drivers on
the night.
Claude Huckabone, III posted a training and driving double,
upending odds-on favorites with Act of Valor ($15.60, 1:56.3) and Wine Photo
($30.00, 1:54.4).
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 13)
evening, with post time set for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
