Vernon, N.Y. -- The Kellogg Racing Stables, LLC's St Lads
Moonwalk ($3.80) made his Miracle Mile debut a winning one, capturing Saturday
(October 8) evening's featured $7,900 pacing event at Vernon Downs in decisive
fashion.
The 3-year-old Mach Three colt enjoyed success in the
Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series through the summer, earning his two most
recent preliminary-event wins from off the pace. Tonight, Chris Lems put him in
play from the outset, working clear of Major War (Truman Gale) after a :26.2
first quarter, rating a :57 middle half, and sprinting clear of the competition
upon cornering for home. St Lads Moonwalk evaded his three foes by 4-1/4
lengths, prevailing in 1:51.2 in his first start for trainer Jackie Rousse.
Modern Gesture (Fern Paquet, Jr.) captured second off a conservative stalking
journey, and Flying Cowboy (Mike Merton) stayed even for third while Major War
faded in the home straight off a failed bid from the pocket.
For St Lads Moonwalk, the win was the 12th of his fledgling
career. For Lems, the win was the cornerstone of a driving grand slam following
his five-win night on Friday. Lems additionally paired up with Gary Gibson
trainee Some Major Beach ($4.80, 1:54.2) as well as Jordan Hope trainees
Flashy Trick ($3.90, 1:53.1) and Hurrikane Bud K ($10.60, 1:54.1).
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Thursday (October 13)
evening; post time is 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
