Sent off the prohibitive 2-5 favourite, Barn Doll ($2.90) sustained a push to the fore on the far turn, drawing clear for a 1:54 triumph in her $40,600 New York Sire Stakes event for three-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday (May 23) evening at Vernon Downs.
The daughter of Conway Hall and Headintheclouds settled in mid-pack early on, as Magic City (Jeff Gregory) cleared the lead through a :28 initial quarter. On the backstretch, Jimmy Whittemore angled Barn Doll second-over behind the cover of Frou Frou (Jim Morrill Jr.), but was ultimately left uncovered after a :57.2 half-mile as Frou Frou cleared. Despite no longer having the aid of cover, Barn Doll continued progressing, pushing clear on the far turn and drawing clear of Frou Frou by three and a half lengths in the end. Stirling Debutant (Rick Zeron) sustained a move on the far turn to take third, just missing Frou Frou in a late battle for second.
Trainer Steven Pratt co-owns Barn Doll with Nancy Pratt and the Purple Haze Stables.
Lock Down Lindy ($3.80, Rick Zeron, 1:54.3) and Concentration ($10.00, Chris Lems, 1:56.3) also proved victorious in their Sire Stakes divisions.
This week's $10,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by the Frank Antonacci-trained Coco Lindy ($9.10) in 1:54 with Rick Zeron picking up the catch-drive.
Vernon Downs is dark for racing on Sunday, but hosts a 13-race program on Memorial Day (Monday, May 25). Post time is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.
(With files from Vernon Downs)