Undefeated two-year-old trotting filly Kountry Plunge, with Brian Sears picking up the catch-drive for trainer Ake Svanstedt, added another New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) victory to her resume on Friday, Sept. 4 at Vernon Downs.

Sears, who was making just his 30th driving appearance this year in the $153,056 NYSS event, got away second with Kountry Plunge from post five as outside leaver Secret Lover (Braxten Boyd) fired to the front into a :28.1 opening panel. As the tempo slowed in the second quarter, Sears made the winning move heading down the backstretch and Kountry Plunge took control as they passed the midway mark in :59.2 then cruised to three-quarters in 1:27.4. The popular filly sprinted a :27.2 final quarter to leave her rivals battling it out for the minor spoils, drawing off in the stretch by 3-1/2 lengths for the 1:55.1 triumph. Secret Lover held on for second between Jula Florence (Tyler Miller) and Seveallisto (Leon Bailey).

Kountry Plunge has amassed $177,208 in her first four successful starts, including three straight Sire Stakes victories. A $277,778 yearling purchase from last fall's Lexington Selected Sale, the Chapter Seven-Plunge Blue Chip filly is owned by Obm Stable of Delray Beach, Florida, Svanstedt And Midnight Sun of Wrightstown, New Jersey, Bender Sweden Inc. of Vero Beach, Florida and Ecurie Diocles Ab of Sigtuna, Sweden.

Kountry Plunge paid $2.62 to win as the 1-5 favourite.

In a pair of $27,778 Excelsior Series divisions, Count The Tears broke her maiden in 1:57.1 with Braxten Boyd driving for the Marcus Melander stable while the Lucas Wallin-trained Seven Thirds, a winner at the NYSS level two starts ago, lowered her lifetime mark to 1:55.4 in rein to Matt Kakaley.

In overnight racing action, Jessica Okusko had a training hat trick during the 11-race card, with Jacquavyian Carter driving first-time winners Chapara and Chapfidante, and Leon Bailey aboard Taladega Express.

Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, Sept. 5 with a post time of 5:05 p.m. 

(Standardbred Canada with files from Vernon Downs)