After a narrow miss in last week's top-level distaff, the Kellogg Racing Stables LLC's Bettorhaveanother controlled an easy pace and sprinted off to evade even-money favourite Jinxys Delight in Thursday evening's $9,900 Mares Miracle Mile/Open Pace at Vernon Downs.
Chris Lems sprinted to the fore with the four-year-old Bettors Delight mare, assuming command from Jinxys Delight (John MacDonald) straight away through a sensible :28 first quarter. Bettorhaveanother would rate a :29.1 second-quarter breather before bracing for and parrying the first-over challenge of Asset Management (Fern Paquet, Jr.) on the far turn. Bettorhaveanother accelerated upon cornering for home, opening up to a 2-1/2 length mid-stretch lead, and holding sway by a length in 1:53 while driven out to the winning post. Jinxys Delight stayed on well for the runner-up spot, while Southwind Trini (Claude Huckabone, III) posted belated gains to take third.
Jackie Rousse trains Bettorhaveanother, now a 13-time winner. She paid $5.20 to win.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday evening, with first post slated for 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)