Vernon, N.Y. -- JK Panache ($2.20) made every yard a winning
one in Saturday (October 15) evening's featured $9,900 Miracle Mile/Open
Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs, drawing clear easily by 4-1/4 lengths in his
1:49.3 victory and giving John MacDonald one of his four driving wins on the
11-race card.
The 7-year-old Art Major gelding had no trouble clearing his
three rivals, sprinting to the fore through a :26 first quarter before leading
pocket rival St Lads Moonwalk (Truman Gale) through middle sectionals of :54
and 1:22.2. JK Panache began edging clear at the head of the home straight,
leaving an all-out St Lads Moonwalk well behind and evading a late bid from
Calvin B (Greg Merton), who emerged from last off the far turn to take the
runner-up spot. St Lads Moonwalk was a laboring third, while Some Kinda Beach
(Mike Merton) faded to fourth.
Dave Dewhurst co-owns 45-time winner JK Panache with Philip
Hale.
In addition to his featured win, MacDonald teamed up with
Pramatic Life ($2.10, 1:53.3), Charmbo Curiosity ($3.70, 1:53), and Big Cal
($2.80, 1:54) to complete his grand slam.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs with a nine-race card on
Thursday (October 20) evening; post time is 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
