High Speed Life's flying rally leads to Thursday feature win

High Speed Life became the 26^th winner of two or more races at Vernon Downs after 15 current programs following her 1:53 performance in Thursday night's $9,500 featured 10^th event.

Competing against eight eager rivals in the week's Open for female pacers, High Speed Life ($10.80) idled in sixth until the half, timed in :56.3, before launching a high-flying rally around the final turn that propelled her into the lead entering the final quarter and on to a 1-1/2-length victory over newcomer The Assassinator.

Roman Lopez and High Speed Life win Thursday's feature

Thursday's come-from-behind tally by High Speed Life was her second in three local outings this season, the fourth in 2012 and her 25^th all-time.  Trainer Roman Lopez drove the 6-year-old daughter of Lease On Life-Nano, who has accumulated more than $447,000 in career earnings.

Lopez, who earned his eighth driving and seventh training triumph at the meet, shares ownership of the mature bay mare with Mitchell Frair.

LeWayne Miller, teaming with the trotters Mystical Muscles and Rocky Malibu for trainer Erv Miller, earned a driving double in his 2012 Downs debut.   

DOWNS DOINGS—14 pacers have captured two or more wins through May at the Downs, while 12 others have accomplished this feat on the trotting gait…Mystical Valentine and Cheap N Easy share the lead among members of the lateral gait with three wins each, while Ziegler Hanover sits alone atop the trotting chart with three... Mystical Muscles and Rocky Malibu each earned their maiden victories on Thursday…Leslie Hale tied Josh Kinney and Brandon Loomis at two for the lead among provisional drivers at the meet following his 1:54 victory behind the pacer P L Eclipse in Thursday's sixth session…Vernon will host four elimination races for the $500,000 (est.) Empire Breeders Classic championship races for 3-year-old trotters, to be held here on Friday, June 8.  Two of tomorrow night's elims will be for male members of the diagonal gait and two for females.  Friday's 12-race card, which also includes the week's $9,500 Open trot, will begin at 6:55 p.m…Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.