Vernon Downs will welcome two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings this Friday (Sept. 4).

The Jim Campbell-trained Hobbs (to be driven by Jason Bartlett) is the horse to beat in the $55,000 opening division. The gelding by Credit Winner has won four consecutive races, including three NYSS legs and a $97,750 division of the Empire Breeders Classic. Hobbs has notched five lifetime wins and has banked over $260,000 in purses.

Hobbs' chief rival will be the Steven Pratt-trained Barn Holden (Mark MacDonald). The colt by Conway Hall has notched three wins from eight starts this season. He has six career wins and has amassed nearly $200,000 lifetime.

Third Shift (Ake Svanstedt) is the early favourite in the $56,000 second division. Svanstedt also trains the Chapter Seven colt. Third Shift's two wins this season came in a leg of the NYSS and a $97,750 division of the EBC, both of which were contested at Vernon Downs. He has five lifetime wins and career earnings of over $320,000.

Third Shift's main threats will be Berkery J (Scott Zeron) and Chaptiama (Trond Smedshammer). Berkery J, by Chapter Seven, is trained by George Ducharme. His only victory this season was a NYSS win at Vernon Downs. Berkery J has tallied four career wins and banked over $220,000 lifetime. The Smedshammer-trained Chaptiama, by Chapter Seven, has notched three NYSS wins this year. He boasts five lifetime victories and over $300,000 in purses.

The 13-race card will start at 3 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)