An explosive :53.2 final half mile was more than enough for Travel Playlist to take top billing among 16 other two-year-old pacing colts and geldings in Monday afternoon's New York Sire Stakes at Vernon Downs.
Travel Playlist ($4.40) was unhurried early in the $55,500 first division, moving off the pegs from fifth at race's mid-point to chase Talk Show (John Campbell) after a :54.2 initial half mile. The son of Art Major-Village Madonna steadily progressed through the far turn, taking second from a tiring Fine Diamond (Tyler Buter) through a :27.2 third quarter before subsequently mowing down Talk Show in upper stretch. By way of a :26.4 final quarter, Travel Playlist turned in a decisive 1:49.2 victory, taking three-fifths of a second off the track record for two-year-old pacing colts formerly held by Hes Watching. Joe Larry N Curly (Jim Morrill, Jr.) rallied late to take second, 3-1/4 lengths in arrears, while Talk Show checked in a beleaguered third.
Marcus Miller drove Travel Playlist for owner Ronald Michelon and trainer Erv Miller.
In the $56,500 second division, another son of Art Major prevailed. Autotune Hanover ($6.80) floated into midfield from a Post 9 dispatch, slid second-over on the far turn to track the cover of Red Roll (John Campbell), kicking off stalled cover at head-stretch before pushing clear of a rapidly fading Skip Jive (Wally Hennessey). Autotune Hanover, by Art Major and out of Anderosa Hanover, kicked forward immediately when Tyler Buter moved him off cover, ultimately staving off the third-over Endeavor (Patrick Lachance) to win in 1:51.2.
Trainer Mark Harder co-owns Autotune Hanover with Rick Phillips, Deena Frost, and Peter Venturini.
(Vernon Downs)
Have been following this
Have been following this colt's progress and would like to congratulate his connections on his impressive effort in the NYSS! Such high speed and talent as a 2 year old is thrilling to watch. He makes it look easy!