Two $58,700 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings will be contested at Vernon Downs on Friday (May 10).
In the first division, JNR Express (who will be driven by John MacDonald) has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favourite. Jessica Okusko trains the colt for owners James DeArmond and Russell Young. The son of Conway Hall won the consolation of his division's NYSS Final as a freshman. He is two for two thus far in 2019.
Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart) and Chapter Fashion (Mike Simons) have both been assessed at odds of 7-2. Both raced in the NYSS freshman final last season. Kenneth Weckstein and trainer Gary Messenger own Chip Chip Conway, by Conway Hall. The gelding is one for one this season and sports three career victories. Chapter Fashion, by Chapter Seven, is owned by Fashion Farms LLC and trained by Jim Campbell. The gelding has notched three career victories, one of which was recorded this season.
Skyway Kon Man (Trond Smedshammer) is the 2-1 morning line favourite for the second division. The Conway Hall gelding is winless after six career starts. He recorded a third-place finish in his last start, which was the Dexter Cup final at Freehold Raceway. He is owned by the Purple Haze Stables LLC and trained by Smedshammer.
The second early choice in the second division is Mr Vicktor (Tyler Buter), who has been tabbed at 3-1. He is trained by ‘Buzzy’ Sholty for owners Joeseph Lee, Diamond Pride LLC, and Sholty Racing LLC. The RC Royalty colt is three for four in his career, which includes a perfect two-for-two start thus far in 2019.
Fridays nine-race card will get underway at 6:10 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)