(Saturday, November 22, 2008) - Debra Gotovac & Charles Wright’s Vital Winner, trained by Bradley Bolen, led from gate to wire in winning the 11th running of the Lone Star Park Distance Championship, an 870-yard handicap for three-year-olds and up, at Lone Star Park on Saturday night.

With Richard Vasquez in the saddle, Vital Winner battled Blue Ribbon Dash throughout the turn then held off Wood Climber at the top of the stretch before pulling away for a two-and-a-quarter length win. The 9-5 favorite covered the 870-yard distance in 45.421 seconds to earn a speed index of 94. Blue Ribbon Dash held on for third, two-and-a-half lengths behind the runner up.

With his first-ever victory at Lone Star Park, the four-year-old gelding improved his lifetime record to 13 wins in 27 starts. The $11,800 winner’s share moved Vital Winner’s career earnings past the quarter of a million dollar mark to $251,277.

Vital Winner paid $5.60, $4.20, $2.80, Wood Climber returned $4.40, $3.40 and Blue Ribbon Dash paid $2.60 to show. Patriot Arrival, Heza Marquette, El Diablo Negro, and A Unforgottenlook completed the order of finish.

Lone Star Park’s 31-day, 2008 Quarter Horse Fall Meeting of Champions will be held from September 26 to November 29. After the opening weekend on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26-27, racing will be held every Thursday through Saturday in October and each Wednesday through Saturday in November, except Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 26-27 when there will be no live racing due to the Thanksgiving holiday. First post time for all dates will be 6:35 p.m. For more information, visit the track’s Web site at www.lonestarpark.com.