All Stienam ($5.90) took full advantage of a clear pocket trip in Saturday's (June 25) $8,000 Miracle Mile/Open Pace a Vernon Downs, sprinting clear of 1-2 favourite Pantheon Hanover for a 1:49 score on a warm summer evening.
Trainer/driver John MacDonald and All Stienam yielded the lead to outside rival Pantheon Hanover (Chris Lems) in the early stages, coasting along with a clear pocket trip just off stout fractions of :25.4, :53.3, and 1:21.1. Just above the eighth pole, MacDonald tipped All Stienam off the pegs and the seven-year-old Tell All gelding sprinted off at once, working clear of Pantheon Hanover by one and a half lengths in 1:49. Modern Gesture (Truman Gale) made mild gains off a wide bid to take third from a beleaguered Abreathofreshart (Dan Daley).
The J P Stables of Winchester, Ont. own All Stienam, now a 24-time winner.
The featured win kicked off a driving hat trick for MacDonald on the 11-race card. "The Prime Minister" later partnered with Fox Valley Cadet ($4.70, 1:50.4) and Steuben Rudy ($21.20, 1:53.1).
No one hit the 50-cent Pick 5 on Saturday night, resulting in a $221.91 carryover to Friday (July 1) evening's card. Post time is slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
(Vernon Downs)