After Vernon Downs’ leading driver John MacDonald notched five victories on Wednesday night's card, current runner-up Chris Lems posted a natural grand slam to start off Thursday evening's nine-race program.
He captured the featured $7,500 Miracle Mile trot with My Lucky Word ($7.00) as part of the sequence.
Lems sent the four-year-old Lucky Chucky mare to a clear lead in the compact field of four, controlling the terms through easy splits of :28.1, :57.2, and 1:26.3 before posting a :27.4 closing quarter to evade a late push from even-money favourite Twice Too Nice (John MacDonald), who stalked intently from the pocket. My Lucky Word prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.2 for her 13th career win. Dave Dewhurst trains My Lucky Word for owner Philip Hale.
Lems also teamed up with Cascata ($6.10, 1:53), Patton ($3.70, 1:57.3), and Illusionsndreams ($9.20, 1:57.3) to lead all drivers on the night.
Claude Huckabone, III posted a training and driving double upending odds-on favourites with Act Of Valor ($15.60, 1:56.3) and Wine Photo ($30.00, 1:54.4).
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday evening, with post time set for 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)