Bunny Lake stars before a big crowd at Vernon Downs

July 7, 2002
-- by Jim Moran, publicity director, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY --- Bunny Lake lived up to her star billing and turned in
a brilliant performance in front of a season's high 8,711 fans in
Saturday night's $20,000 50th Anniversary Pace with a come-from-
behind, 1:512 triumph at Vernon Downs. Her time established a track
record for 4-year-old pacing mares.

The crowd which turned out for the track's 50th racing season
celebration was the best single-night attendance at Vernon since July
26, 1980.

Bunny Lake, the 2001 Horse of the Year, started from the eighth post
position in a five horse field in the ninth race. The 4-year-old
pacing mare, with part-owner John Stark, Jr. in the sulky,
accelerated to the early lead, let On The Way Again go to the front
before the first quarter, and then drafted in the garden spot until
the final furlong, where she snapped out of the pocket and blew past
the pacesetter en route to a convincing four and one-quarter length
triumph. She went off as a 1-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.

Bunny Lake, a daughter of a previous Horse of the Year, Precious
Bunny, now has three wins in nine 2002 starts, including three
victories in her last four trips to the track for the W Springtime
Racing Stable of Johnstown, and Stark, who resides in Saratoga
Springs.

The previous best time by a 4-year-old pacing mare at Vernon was
1:524, set by Banshee Hanover and Brian Allen in 1993.