While her previous Vernon Downs appearance saw her give futile chase to Shutthefrontdoor, owner-trainer Jordan Hope's Little Santamonica was the one who could not be caught in Thursday evening's $8,500 Mares Open Pace at the Miracle Mile.
Frank Davis was patient early with the California-bred, rating off duelling leaders Wanna Rock N Roll (Jimmy Whittemore) and All Charged Up (John MacDonald) through a :26.3 first quarter before brushing clear on the backstretch. After intermediate splits of :55.1 and 1:24.2, the eight-year-old Little Steven mare edged clear of All Charged Up to a 2-1/2 length lead at the eighth pole. While odds-on favourite All Charged Up made up part of that margin in the stretch, Little Santamonica's :27.3 last quarter was enough to keep her a length in front for a 1:52 score, the 42nd of her career. All Charged Up was two lengths clear of Looney Dune (Fern Paquet, Jr.) for second.
Hope and Davis also teamed up in the opener with Regally Blonde ($10.40), a 1:54.3 winner from the pocket in a $3,500 distaff pace. Additionally, Jimmy Whittemore notched a driving double on the nine-race card.
The 50-cent Pick 5 was not hit, due in large part to a narrow 79-1 upset by Steuben Bentley (2:01.3, Claude Huckabone, III) in the evening's sixth race, a $3,000 maiden trot. Friday (May 13) evening's Pick 5--starting in the fifth race--will have a $712.43 carryover added to the pool.
Vernon Downs is full swing into a three-nights-weekly schedule, racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with a 6:45 p.m. first post.
(Vernon Downs)