Vernon, N.Y. -- Jinxy's Delight ($9.50) made all the pace in
Thursday (September 8) evening's featured $9,100 top-level Miracle Mile distaff
pacing event at Vernon Downs, capping a driving grand slam for John MacDonald
on the evening's nine-race card.
MacDonald, who also owns and trains the 7-year-old Bettor's
Delight mare, wasted no time achieving the lead, clearing Looney Dune (Ben
McNeil) before reaching the first turn through a :27.4 first quarter. Jinxy's
Delight would face no threats to speak of through the middle half, only facing
mild first-over pressure from Pancakes (Truman Gale) off the far turn before
edging clear. While Jinxy's Delight had no trouble parrying the challenge of
Pancakes, she was fully extended in deep stretch to stave off the late bids of
Asset Management (Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Bettorhaveanother (Chris Lems) by a
scant nose in 1:53.1.
MacDonald also accounted for three odds-on winners on the
evening, prevailing with his own trainee Hailey Hanover ($2.40, 1:54.3) as well
as Andy Gardner trainee Always Flash-n ($3.30, 1:53.2) and Heidi Rohr trainee Racsan
Cyndee ($2.60, 1:55.2).
Byron Pineda's Shortest Distance ($19.00) scored her 93rd
career victory in the sub-featured $6,100 distaff pace, pouncing from the
pocket for a 1:52.3 score with Fern Paquet, Jr. aboard. Rita Polese trains the
11-year-old Park Place mare.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (September 9)
evening, with post time slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
