Melodies Major captured the first of two $56,500 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshmen pacing colts and geldings at Vernon Downs on Monday, Sept. 3.
Reigning Deo took the lead hitting the first quarter in :26.2. The favourite, Major Blake, took over before hitting the half in :55.0. He continued to lead hitting the three-quarter mark in 1:23.2.
Melodies Major was fifth after three-quarters. Owned by Martin Scharf and trained by Mark Ford, he cam flying through the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:51.3. Arties Ideal closed to take second with Jack Nation finishing third.
Melodies Major is a two-year-old colt by Art Major-Hilarious. It was the fifth win of his young career with all his wins coming in legs of the NYSS. Driven by Tyler Buter, he paid $11.40 to win.
Hickfromfrenchlick fired for the front and went gate to wire in the second NYSS split, winning in 1:51.3.
The Ray Schnittker trained-and-driven colt by So Surreal led through fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:23.2. Owned by Nolamaura Racing LLC., Thomas Spatorico and Schnittker, he held off a late charge by second-place finisher Chatelroll to get a lifetime-best mark. Jet Rock finished third.
Hickfromfrenchlick is a two-year-old colt out of My Girls A Star. He has now won four out of five races in his career. He paid $3.70 to win.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday, Sept. 7 at 6:10 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)