Mr Lucky Star leaned on his closing skills for driver Roman Lopez and came away victorious in Saturday’s $12,700 Robert E. Keller Trotting Series Final at Vernon Downs.
Barn Beast (Claude Huckabone, Jr.) controlled the early fractions of :29.1, :59.4 and 1:28.4), but Mr. Lucky Star ($2.80), who is owned by Joan Ellafrits with Lynn Wilson and trained by Lopez, shot out of the pocket and flew right by to win by over five lengths in 1:57.4. Barn Beast held on for second with Irish Kate (Claude Huckabone III) getting third.
Mr Lucky Star is a four-year-old gelding by Mr Cantab. He is now three for three this season after no wins in his career coming into 2019.
Joes Life (Leon Bailey) is an upset winner in the $11,600 Anthony Farina Pacing Series Final.
The big favourite Gias Surreal (John MacDonald) put down all the early numbers :28.3, :57.1 and 1:25.4, but Joes Life ($33.60), who is owned by Rocco Stebbins and trained by Joe Skowyra, wore down the pacesetter in the stretch to win in a career best 1:55.3. Irish Art (Howard Parker) came up to claim second with Gias Surreal settling for third.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday at 6:10 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Dows)