Let's Go Higher ships in and wins the Thursday feature

Let's Go Higher impressive in Thursday feature

The pacer Let's Go Higher couldn't have been more elevated than she was in capturing Thursday night's $10,000 featured Open-1 distaff contest at Vernon Downs.

With Shawn T. Gray doing the teaming for trainer Heidi Rohr in Thursday's ninth race, the wagering favorite Let's Go Higher challenged High Speed Life for the lead going to the quarter, took charge before the half and continued on the lead while turning in a career-fastest 1:51.2 triumph and her initial local tally.

Jesse J. De Long owns the 5-year-old daughter of Cole Muffler-Ten Speed who has secured four current wins, 13 lifetime triumphs and earnings of $139,324 during her effective career.

Leading dash-winner Rick Plano and his chief challenger, Roman Lopez, each recorded driving doubles during Thursday's 11-race card.

Driver Justin Huckabone, sitting in for trainer Dan Daley, guided the pacer Daley Deposit Only to a 1:54.2 tally in Thursday's third event, tying fellow provisional driver Josh Kinney at two for top honors in that category. 

DOWNS DOINGS—Defending champ Plano has tallied 64 first-place finishes after 34 programs, while Lopez has logged 52 victories…With trainer Michael Armstrong doing the steering for owner Rachel Burns, the pacer In A Good Place earned his initial career pari-mutual victory with a 1:56 showing in Thursday's 11^th event…Vernon will present a "Diamond Dig" promotion featuring 20 female fans on Friday, and the annual Miss Vernon Downs pageant, plus New York Sires Stakes racing for 3-year-old male trotters on Saturday…  First post each evening will be at 6:45…A revised 2013 racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.