Chris Long won the first five races, including the featured $7,746 optional-claiming pace for fillies and mares with Live And Thrive, at Vernon Downs on Saturday, June 20.
Live N Thrive hustled to the front from post five, crossing over to the pylons at entry to the first turn, and put up panels of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.2. Long put the Brielle Roman trainee to a drive turning for home with Rocknroll Shelli (Frank Affrunti) encroaching, and the mare easily dealt with her and sailed home a 2-1/2-length winner in 1:53.4. Rocknroll Shelli took the place spot, with Dizzy Lizzy (Ron Harp) third.
Live N Thrive, a four-year-old daughter of Tall Dark Stranger-Livin Life, took her third win in 17 seasonal starts for owner Arthur Pasternak. She is now six-for-47 lifetime. The win payout was $3.58.
Long got his other wins with She B Crazy ($2.42), Ss Superstar ($2.78), Super Sarah ($4.32), and Churchview Meow Ir ($2.96). All five winners were either first or second at the quarter. The Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based driver has 80 wins this season from 641 starts.
Vernon Downs will host its next card on Sunday with a post time of 12:15 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)