Vernon Downs hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old pacing fillies as well as a leg for pacing colts & geldings on Saturday (Aug. 12).
Huntingforchrome ($3.20) and driver Joe Bongiorno captured the $110,000 NYSS for pacing colts & geldings.
Darius (Mark MacDonald) grabbed the early lead but Huntingforchrome took over just before hitting the quarter first in :27. He used a :31 second quarter to be first to the half in :58. Supplemental Fee (Brian Sears) went first-over going around the final turn. Huntingforchrome led to three-quarters in 1:26.2. As they reached the stretch, Huntingforchrome found another gear and won easily in 1:52.3. Supplemental Fee was second best. Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) took home third money.
Huntingforchrome is a Huntsville-All On Top Hanover gelding owned by Robert Di Nozzi and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno. It was his third win in four starts.
Bronx Barista ($7.70) and driver Mark MacDonald took the $52,500 first division for fillies.
Camerican (Joe Bongiorno) led to the first quarter in :28.3. Blue Point (Jason Bartlett) went on by and led to the half in :57.4. She remained in control and led to three-quarters in 1:26.4. As they made the turn for home, Bronx Barista made her move first-over and challenged for the lead as Camerican went three-wide in the stretch. Bronx Barista had the jump and won in 1:53.2. Camerican was second best. Blue Point had to settle for third.
Bronx Barista is Huntsville-Apricot Sour filly owned by Ted Gewertz, Kitefield Stable and trainer Ray Schnittker. She now has three career victories.
So Well Dressed ($7.60) and driver Brian Sears won the $53,500 second division for fillies.
So Well Dressed was first to the quarter in :28.3. She slowed things down with a :31.4 second quarter and led to the half in 1:00.2. She led the way to three-quarters in 1:29.3. As they reached the stretch, Delightville (Matt Kakaley) went to the outside and Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) slipped through on the inside. So Well Dressed dug in and won in 1:55.4. Deiightville was second and Peace Talks finished third.
So Well Dressed is a So Surreal-Gotmyredressontnt filly owned by Janice Connor and Robert Lovett while trained by Chuck Connor Jr. It was her fourth win in six career starts.
Barton Dalious had a driving grand slam. Bongiorno and MacDonald had driving triples. Schnittker had a training triple
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 18) starting at 4 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)