Wednesday, July 4, 2012

High Speed Life caps big night for Lopez


Roman Lopez capped off a successful evening with a bold 1:53.1 victory behind High Speed Life in Tuesday's $10,500 Open contest for female pacers at Vernon Downs.

Having already notched a double behind the pacer Southwest (race one) and trotter Centerfold Lady (event five) earlier in the special pre-Independence Day program, Lopez directed High Speed Life ($6.00) to a two-length score in Tuesday's sixth session.

The hard-charging bay daughter of Lease On Life-Nano followed the favorite Aries Angel to the quarter, took charge on the backstretch, and then held off a late rally by Harlem Rockturne to record her third local victory, fifth win of 2012 and 26th lifetime score.  The 52-year-old horseman shares the career-winner of nearly $458,500 with his ownership partner Mitchell A. Frair.

Lopez logged his second driving triple of the 29-year-old meeting and a training double.

In addition to Lopez and Frair, Tuesday's other multiple winners were driver Rick Plano and trainer Tracy Brainard, each with a pair of first-place finishes during the nine-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS—Plano's double gave him a 47-46 edge over Chris Lems in this season's local driving derby, and tied him at six with Lems, Jimmy Whittemore, and Frank Davis for top honors in the meet's two-win category…Lems had won earlier in the program with the Dave Dewhurst-conditioned pacer Fire Fox (1:55)…Centerfold Lady's 2:01.1 effort resulted in the 3-year-old filly's maiden victory… Vernon will offer a 1:15 July 4 matinee program tomorrow…There will be no live racing at the Downs on Thursday (July 5) due to a concert by "America" at the track…Live racing will resume at 6:55 p.m. on Friday, July 6 and continue on Saturday, July 7…Starting July 11, Vernon will add Wednesday nights (first post 6:55) to its live racing schedule in both July and August...Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

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