On Memorial Day Monday (May 29), Vernon Downs will welcome the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) with two divisions each for both three-year-old filly trotters and three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Instagram Model (Scott Zeron) is the 2-1 morning line favourite in the $61,400 first division of the NYSS for three-year-old filly trotters. Trained by Annie Stoebe, the daughter of Chapter Seven is making her three-year-old debut after a five-win freshman campaign. 

Ruth Honig (Jordan Stratton) is the one to beat in the $60,300 second division for NYSS fillies. The Chapter Seven filly is trained by Lucas Wallin. She is one-for-two as a sophomore and owns four career victories. 

The $59,200 first division of the NYSS for colts and geldings will feature two of the top trotters from a year ago as the Marcus Melander trainee Crown (Brian Sears) meets The Gruffalo (Jordan Stratton), trained by Mark Harder. Crown, a son of Chapter Seven, makes his three-year-old debut after a four-win freshman season. The Gruffalo (pictured above) will also be making his three-year-old debut. The son of Chapter Seven won the two-year-old NYSS trotting championship in 2022.

Kilmister (Brian Sears) is the 5-2 morning line favourite in the $59,200 second division for colts and geldings. The Marcus Melander trainee and son of Chapter Seven will make his three-year-old debut. He is coming off a five-win freshman season where he won more than $400,000. 

The popular mini horses return for a special exhibition race as well. After the mini stars race their little hearts out, they will be going to Heritage Park to meet all the great boys and girls on hand. 

The 12-race card also includes eight Excelsior A Series races.  The matinee starts at 12:15 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)