Pace Is Won by Vance Lobell

Heavily favored Vance Lobell rallied in the stretch to score a 1 3/4-length victory over Speedy Alba in the featured $10,000 invitational handicap pace at Los Alamitos Saturday night.

Glenburn Star finished third, another length back.

Driven by Ross Croghan, Vance Lobell covered the mile in 1:56, the last quarter in 27 3/5, and paid $3 to win.

“He was a middle-level-class horse in New Zealand, and when I imported him, I told his owner he was $30,000 claimer,” Croghan said.

“I never imagined he would be this good. He is so quick on his feet. He accelerates so quickly you think he’ll break stride.”

Vance Lobell, a 7-year-old gelding, is trained by Bob Johnson for owner Paul Bielec of Industry. He won nine of 15 starts last year and ran a 1:53 4/5 after rebounding from a virus that knocked him out of the American Pacing Classic Series.