by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media
Tracking from the pocket before unleashing a lethal stretch
kick, Kelly Hope's Rocks N Bagels ($5.10) proved a dominant 1:50.4 winner in
Friday (April 18) night's $8,000 Miracle Mile 2 event for distaff pacers at
Vernon Downs.
The six-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare drafted behind the
pacesetting Asset Management (Fern Paquet, Jr.) before angling out in upper
stretch, drawing clear for an 8-1/2 length win over a late-gaining Got the
Munchies (John MacDonald). Rocks N Bagels turned in a :26.2 final quarter
as part of a :53.4 last half in rein to Aaron Byron for trainer Jordan Hope.
The featured trotting event of the evening was an $8,000
Miracle Mile 2 event as well, with Jerry Clark's Jaipur ($4.30) kicking cover
for a neck win over House Money (Roman Lopez) in 1:53.4 for driver Fern Paquet,
Jr. and trainer Jamie Paquet.
The Catherine Burton trotting series kicked off as well with
four $4,000 first-round divisions. Ray Schnittker trainees Indira Blue
Chip (1:56.1) and Corsair Hall (1:57.2) prevailed in their splits, while
Driving Miss Crazy (1:55.4) and Keystone Sadie (1:57.1) also proved victorious.
