Competing in a small, but select field of five whittled down by three scratches, Southwest captured Thursday night’s $8,400 featured event at Vernon Downs.

Southwest ($6.40) drafted along behind the pace-setting Harlem Rockturne through three-quarters in 1:24.4. With both Elleofnxample and Bay Girl closing rapidly on the outside, Southwest close the inside pylon-path route and displayed the most foot in the final sixteenth (last quarter in :27.2) to score in 1:52.2, tying her career win-mark.

Trainer Roman Lopez, who owns Southwest along with Mitchell Frair, did the teaming as the four-year-old daughter of Western Hanover-Matts A Coming earned her third local triumph, seventh season’s score and 15th lifetime victory, while hiking her career winnings to more than $120,900.

Lopez, who has logged 37 driving victories and 17 training tallies after 58 Vernon programs, also finished first with the Serge Beaumont-owned trotter Nanticoke Snazz in Thursday’s seventh race to record his fifth double of the meet.

Leading reinsman Rick Plano posted three wins during Thursday’s 12-race card, while driver Brian Connor and trainer Edgar Clarke each visited Vernon’s winner’s circle on two occasions.

(Vernon)