Vernon Downs hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies as well as three-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Memorial Day (Monday, May 29).
Royal Filly and driver Tyler Buter won a late duel to capture the $61,400 first division for fillies.
Royal Filly ($12.80) was first to the quarter in :26.3. Instagram Model (Scott Zeron) took the lead just before hitting the half first in :56. Instagram Model was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3. As they reached the stretch, Royal Filly popped the pocket and went all out after Instagram Model. Royal Filly wore her down to win in 1:52. Instagram Model had to settle for second. Kayleigh S (Brian Sears) finished third.
Maiden-breaking Royal Filly is a daughter of Chapter Seven. She is owned by Crawford Farms and trained by Tony Alagna, who surpassed $70 million in career earnings with the victory.
Sadie Hanover and driver Scott Zeron cruised to an easy win in the $60,300 second division for fillies.
Ruth Honig took the lead just before hitting the quarter first in :27.1. She used a :30.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.4. Sadie Hanover ($2.60) made her move heading to the final turn she brushed right on by and led to three-quarters in 1:25.4. As they made the turn for home, it was all Sadie Hanover winning in a lifetime best of 1:53.2. Pride N Joy (Tyler Buter) came up to grab second. Ruth Honig had to settle for third.
Sadie Hanover is a daughter of Chapter Seven. She is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Carmen Iannacone, Bays Stable, Blue Ridge Stable and Gary Coco. She is three-for-three in 2023 and now has four career victories.
Cecil Hanover and teamster Mark MacDonald captured the $59,200 first division for colt and gelding trotters.
Wild Bill Kelso (Scott Zeron) led to the first quarter in :26.4. Cecil Hanover ($8.40) took over just before hitting the half first in :55.1. He continued to lead and was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3. As they reached the stretch, The Gruffalo (Jordan Stratton) went first-up as Crown (Brian Sears) went three-wide. The Gruffalo kept coming but Cecil Hanover dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:52.3. The Gruffalo finished second as Crown took home third money.
Cecil Hanover is a gelding by Chapter Seven. Trainer Ake Svanstedt owns the trotter with Jorgen Sparredal, SRF Stable and Midnight Sun. It was his second career victory.
Kierkegaard K and driver Mark MacDonald posted an upset score in the $59,200 second division for colt and gelding trotters.
Kierkegaard K ($39) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :26.3. He used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1. Tillios Action went first-over going around the final turn as Kierkegaard K was first to three-quarters in 1:25.4. As the reached the stretch, the two colts continued to battle. Kierkegaard K dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:53. Tillios Action broke just before the wire and placed third. Kilmister (Brian Sears) was third but was placed second.
Kierkegaard K is a colt by Chapter Seven. He is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc and trained by Ake Svanstedt. He now owns two career victories.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday, June 2 with a nine-race card starting at 4 p.m.
(With files from