Pink Chou Chou, a Chapter Seven sister to world champion Manchego, scored a maiden-breaking victory in the $148,219 leg of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old trotting fillies on Friday, July 26 at Vernon Downs.

Driven by Todd McCarthy for trainer Nancy Takter, 4-5 favourite Pink Chou Chou left from post six to take the early lead through a :29 opening quarter, but was looped by 15-1 shot Royal Mission (Scott Zeron), who took over for middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.2. Turning for home, Pink Chou Chou got the jump on the advancing Beautiful Sight (Tyler Buter), the 5-2 second choice and eventual stretch breaker, as she popped out of the two-hole for the retake. Pink Chou Chou wore down Royal Mission through the lane to get her first career victory in 1:56 flat, defeating that rival by 1-1/2 lengths. My Debt Collecter (Mark MacDonald) finished 4-3/4 lengths back in third. 

Sired by Chapter Seven out the Cantab Hall mare Secret Magic, Pink Chou Chou is a half-sibling to triple millionaire Manchego as well as millionaire In Secret. The Hanover Shoe Farms-bred filly was a $225,000 yearling purchase from the 2023 Standardbred Horse Sale by Crawford Farms Racing. The win was her first in three starts and followed up top two finishes in the Kindergarten Series and July 14 leg of the NYSS at Tioga Downs. She returned $3.80 to win as the bettors' choice.

Scott Zeron drove a pair of Excelsior Series winners, scoring with the maiden-breaking Chapter Seven fillies Morning Angel ($6.10) in 1:58.1 for trainer Marcus Melander and Flashchap ($3.10) in 1:59 for conditioner Trond Smedshammer. The other $27,397 division was won by the E L Titan miss, Michelons Titan ($2.50), who earned her second Excelsior victory in 2:00.2 with Tyler Buter in the bike for the Erv Miller stable.

John MacDonald led all drivers on the day, steering five winners throughout the 15-race card. He was first with Dont Trip ($7) for trainer David Wiskow, his own trainee Snap Call ($3.50), Crazy Crown ($10.40) for Jessica Okusko, The Hunt Is On ($2.90) for Gary Gibson and Pompano Beach ($3.60) for Daniel Gassien.

Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, July 27, with a 13-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Vernon Downs)