Vernon Downs will welcome the New York Sire Stakes two-year-old trotting colts & geldings for a $108,200 division on Friday, Aug. 16.
The 5-2 morning line favourite in the field of eight is Wild Ticket (pictured above) from post six, with Brian Sears driving. Marcus Melander trains the colt by Chapter Seven out of On The Wild Side. Wild Ticket has two wins and a third in three career starts, with both of his victories in Sire Stakes action at Tioga Downs and Saratoga.
Ake Svanstedt trains the 3-1 second choice, Situationship, who will leave from post four with Jason Bartlett. The Chapter Seven-Meegan Hall colt has a win and a second in three starts. His victory was in a leg of the Sire Stakes at Saratoga.
Bargain has two Sire Stakes wins and has won a leg of the Kindergarten Series. He should be a major contender as well. Nancy Takter trains the Chapter Seven-Batoutahill colt, who will be driven by Jimmy Whittemore from post two. Bargain has finished no worse than second in five starts, earning more than $130,000.
(With files from Vernon Downs)