Pop I ($10.40) sustained steady first-over gains through the far turn and ultimately reeled in 3-5 favourite Rules Of The Road in Saturday (September 3) evening's featured $9,000 Miracle Mile/Open Trot at Vernon Downs.

Greg Merton situated the six-year-old Andover Hall gelding in midfield early on before a last-to-first brush from Rules Of The Road (Chuck Connor Jr.) relegated Pop I to fourth at the completion of a :57.1 half-mile. Pop I was quick to reclaim ground, angling first-over on approach to the far turn and steadily gaining on approach to the top of the stretch. Despite Rules Of The Road's best attempts to evade her competition after a :28.2 third quarter, Pop I collared her in mid-stretch and drew off to a one and three-quarter length victory in 1:55. Wine Photo (Roman Lopez) made a stand-side rally from last to claim second, while Rules Of The Road faded to third.

Harry Landy trains Pop I for Glat Kosher Racing.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Labor Day (September 5). Monday's first race is slated for 1:25 p.m. Eastern.

(Vernon Downs)