A powerful :26.3 closing quarter from Little Santamonica enabled her to amass a five-length margin of victory in Thursday evening's featured $7,500 Miracle Mile Pace for distaffers at Vernon Downs.
The eight-year-old Little Steven mare sprinted clear from her assigned outside post before yielding to Wanna Rock N Roll (Truman Gale) at the completion of a :26.2 first quarter. Little Santamonica would enjoy a cozy and clear pocket trip through a rated :57.2 middle half before Chris Lems angled her out at head-stretch. At first asking, Little Santamonica sprinted off, making quick work of Wanna Rock N Roll and evading eventual runner-up Yes You Can (John MacDonald) by five lengths in a 1:50.3 mile. The Filly Princess (Andy Gardner) made similarly mild late gains to take third, while pacesetter Wanna Rock N Roll faded to finish last but one.
Jordan Hope owns and trains Little Santamonica, who paid $3.60.
For Lems, the featured win was one of three on the night. Jimmy Whittemore also registered a hat trick on the nine-race card, with a pillar-to-post 1:53.1 effort from Gimme The Cash in the sub-featured $5,500 Mares Miracle Mile Trot one of his three wins.
The 50¢ Pick 5 was hit for $100.12.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday evening, with the first of nine races slated for 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)