An early break in stride by 3-2 favourite A Penny Earned helped pave the way for Twice Too Nice ($6.10) to wire the boys in Friday (June 24) evening's featured $8,000 Miracle Mile/Open Handicap Trot at Vernon Downs.

Trainer/driver John MacDonald pointed the five-year-old Valley Victor mare immediately to the fore, out-sprinting fellow distaffer Gimme The Cash (Angus MacDonald) to a :27.2 first quarter before reining back the speed. Twice Too Nice remained uncontested through a :57.3 middle half and edged away a bit at head-stretch. With Gimme The Cash unable to threaten from the pocket and the first-over Pounce K (Claude Huckabone III) fading off the far turn, Winding Hill (Jimmy Whittemore) challenged from his stalking trip upon cornering, working into second at the eighth pole. Twice Too Nice held sway for a 1:53.4 triumph, keeping Winding Hill a length at bay while Gimme The Cash finished a labouring third.

Brett Crawford owns Twice Too Nice, who took her 12th career win and her fourth on the year.

While MacDonald prevailed in the feature, Jimmy Whittemore led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card.

Racing returns to the Miracle Mile on Saturday (June 25) with an 11-race card due off at 6:45 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)