Vernon Downs will host two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore trotting fillies on Memorial Day (May 30).
Valentina Blu (Andrew McCarthy) is the 2-1 morning line favourite in the $60,300 first division. The three-year-old filly by Chapter Seven surged late to capture her first start of the 2022 season in a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway. She is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by Tony Alagna. As a freshman she had a win, six seconds and two thirds. The filly has won more than $360,000 in her career.
Bare My Soul (Tyler Buter) could be her toughest challenger. The Linda Toscano-trained filly by Chapter Seven lost to Valentina Blu by a neck when they raced at Yonkers in the first leg of the NYSS.
Joviality S (Brian Sears) will be a huge favourite in the $60,300 second division. Trained by Marcus Melander for owner Courant Inc., the three-year-old filly by Chapter Seven is arguably the top sophomore filly in the country. After an extraordinary freshman campaign which saw her win nine times in 12 starts including a Breeders Crown victory, the filly went gate-to-wire in her first start as a three-year-old. That win came in the first leg of the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway. She has already earned in excess of $920,000 in her career.
La Vie En Blanc (Mike Simons) comes to town one-for-one as a three-year-old with a NYSS win at Yonkers. The Tony Alagna-trained filly by Chapter Seven goes for career win number three.
The 11-race card starts at 12:15 p.m.
(Vernon)