Vernon Downs will play host to three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Friday (July 9) with a special post time of 12:00 p.m. (EDT).

Chapheart (Corey Callahan) is the 2-1 morning-line favourite in the $33,600 first division of the NYSS. The colt by Chapter Seven-Hip To My Heart is trained by Trond Smedshammer. He was fourth in his only start which occurred at Yonkers in a leg of NYSS. He used a :29.0 last quarter to trot the mile in 1:59.1.

His top competition appears to be the Linda Toscano-trained Grand Spa (Scott Zeron). The colt by E L Titan-Day At the Spa was second in his NYSS start at Yonkers.

In the $34,000 second division, the 9-5 morning-line choice is the Marcus Melander-trained Distance Learning (Brian Sears). The colt by Chapter Seven-Vintage Oaks is coming off a second-place finish at the NYSS at Yonkers. He trotted the mile in 1:58.1

His main competition comes from Quincy Market (Corey Callahan) and Cool Papa Bell (Jason Bartlett). They each won a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers. Quincy Market is a colt by E L Titan-Dance To Market. He is trained by John Butenschoen. Jim Campbell trains Cool Papa Bell, who is a gelding by Chapter Seven-Blk Thai Optional.

The 9-5 favourite in $34,200 third division is the Linda Toscano-trained Molotov Cocktail (Scott Zeron). The colt by Chapter Seven finished third at Yonkers in his NYSS start.

Secret Rule (Joe Bongiorno) is the 2-1 second choice. The colt by Chapter Seven-Athena Miss is trained by Jennifer Bongiorno. He was second best in his NYSS leg at Yonkers.

Once again note the special 12:00 p.m. (EDT) post time for Friday’s 13-race card at Vernon Downs.

(Vernon Downs)