Vernon Downs is set to host a pair of $57,000 New York Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Thursday (July 9).

The unbeaten JK Last Chance (to be driven by Wally Hennessey) appears to be the one to beat in the first division. The So Surreal gelding was unraced as a two-year-old and easily won a leg of the NYSS at Tioga Downs on June 28. JK Last Chance is trained by Jim McDonald and is undefeated this season after two starts.

JK Last Chance's chief rivals will be the Ray Schnittker-trained Splash Brother (Tyler Buter) and the Kevin Lare-trained Freedom Warrior (Jim Morrill Jr.). Splash Brother, who is a gelding by So Surreal, is two for three this season after having gone winless as a freshman. One of Splash Brother's victories this season was an eye-popping 1:48.2 performance at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Freedom Warrior, by American Ideal, is winless after two starts this year. The gelding recorded five wins as a freshman and has amassed over $150,000 in earnings to this point in his career.

In the second division, the morning line favourite is Blank Stare (Corey Callahan). The Bolt The Duer gelding is two for two this season and has already notched a NYSS win at Tioga Downs. Blank Stare is trained by John Butenschoen and has won five of his nine career races.

Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley) is the top earner in the group with over $230,000 in the bank. The colt by Roll with Joe recorded seven wins and three seconds from 10 starts as a freshman. Trained by Blake Macintosh, Groovy Joe is winless in three starts as a three-year-old.

The other top rival is the Rob Harmon-trained American Rebel (Tyler Buter). The American Ideal colt has recorded a second-place finish from two starts this season. Overall, American Rebel has notched five career wins and has banked over $140,000 in purses.

The 13-race card will get underway at 4 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)