Vernon Downs played host to four divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing colts and geldings on a special Father’s Day Sunday matinee (June 19).
Bounty Hunter and driver Jordan Stratton won the $30,550 first division.
Bounty Hunter led to the first quarter in :27. JD then took over heading to the top of the backstretch. He was first to the half in :56. Twin B Deluxe came first up going around the far turn and took a slight lead before hitting three-quarters in 1:24.
As they headed to the stretch, JD reclaimed a short lead. Bounty Hunter came powering out of the pocket and went on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:52.2. JD had to settle for second. American Classic finished third.
Bounty Hunter is a three-year-old gelding by Huntsville. He is owned by Royal Wire Products and trained by Robert Cleary. He now has two wins.
All About The Hunt captured the $29,950 second division.
Hazeville took the lead and led to the quarter in :26.4. All About The Hunt took over control as they headed for the half. He was there first in :55.3. Gone Before Dawn came first up and put on the pressure as All About The Hunt was first to three-quarters in 1:23.2.
As they made the turn for home, All About The Hunt shook off Gone Before Dawn and breezed down the stretch to get his first victory and stop the clock in 1:51.4. Hazeville was second. American Classic was third.
All About The Hunt is a three-year-old colt by Huntsville. He is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and Heather Marshall and trained by Ron Burke. David Miller drove the $3.80 winner.
River Ness took the $29,950 third division.
River Ness was first to the quarter in :27.3. Pleaseletmeknow took over the lead going up the backstretch and was first to the half in :55.4. Early Action came first over around the final turn. Pleaseletmeknow led to the three-quarters in 1:24.
As they reached the stretch, River Ness popped out of the pocket and the race was on. Second-place finisher Pleaseletmeknow held firm but River Ness used one final burst to win in 1:52.1. Early Action held on to finish third.
River Ness is a three-year-old gelding by Huntsville. He is trained by Ron Burke (two training wins on the day) for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnell & Libby. It was his second win this year. He now has three victories. Jordan Stratton drove the $14.80 winner.
Seven Hundred charged late to win the $30,550 fourth division.
Hurrikane Chuck led the way to the first quarter in :27. Kingsville then took over and led to the half in :56. Blue Collar Man was first to make a move going first over. Kingsville had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:23.4.
As they made the turn for home, it looked like a mad scramble. Seven Hundred slipped through on the inside while Top Genius went four wide and Stretch The Line came five wide. In deep stretch, it became a two-horse race as Seven Hundred held off Top Genius to win in 1:52.3. Stretch The Line got third.
Seven Hundred is a three-year-old colt by Huntsville. He is owned by Rick Berks and trained by Bruce Clarke. It was his second win of the season. He now has four victories. Jordan Stratton drove the $16.20 winner.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (June 24) with a post time of 6:05 p.m. (EDT).
(Vernon Downs)