Barn Holden and Third Shift each won their respective $54,000 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for freshmen trotting colts and geldings Thursday evening at Vernon Downs.
In the first division Barn Holden ($7.50) went to the front for driver Kevin Cummings and led the group to a first quarter of :28.4. As they reached the top of the back stretch Berkery J (Jason Bartlett) went first over and got within a neck of the lead. Barn Holden held off the challenge and led to the half in :58.2 and was first to three-quarters in 1:26.3.
Barn Holden, who is owned by Purple Haze Stables, Out In The Country Stable, Nancy Pratt, and trainer Steven Pratt, gave them all the slip in the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.3. Hobbs (Jim Morrill, Jr.) came up late to finish second. Berkery J held on to finish third.
Barn Holden is a colt by Conway Hall-Barn Babe. It was his second win in four career starts.
Bourbon Express (Jason Bartlett) laid down fractions of :27.4, :57 and 1:26 in the other division. Third Shift, who is owned by Melby Gard Inc and trained by Ake Svanstedt, was fourth after three-quarters. Pocket sitter, Beerthirty K (Mike Simons) jumped out of the pocket and challenged Bourbon Express at mid-stretch. Third Shift went three wide for driver Jim Morrill, Jr. and charged by just before hitting the mile in a lifetime best of 1:54.4. Beerthirty K had to settle for second best and Bourbon Express held on for third money.
Third Shift ($4.50) is a colt by Chapter Seven-Overnight Command. It was his second win in three career starts.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing with an 11 race card on Friday evening. Post time is at 6:10 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)