Vernon Downs will play host to a pair of divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for trotting colts and geldings this Wednesday (June 24).
The $59,000 opening division will feature last season's two-year-old NYSS final winner, Third Shift, by Chapter Seven. The colt won three times in eight starts as a freshmen, including a lifetime-best mark at Vernon Downs of 1:54.4. He has earned over $210,000 in his career and will make his three-year-old debut on Wednesday.
Third Shift's top rivals include four-time winners Sky Castles (to be driven by Jason Bartlett) and Bourbon Express (Tyler Buter), who will make their first starts of 2020. Sky Castles, by Conway Hall, is trained by Andrew Harris. Sky Castles has amassed almost $114,000 in career earnings. Jessica Okusko trains sophomore gelding Bourbon Express, by RC Royalty). Bourbon Express has earned over $130,000 in his career.
In the $58,000 second division, the coupled entry of Barn Holden (Andy Miller) and Chaptiama (Trond Smedshammer) will be tough to beat. Barn Holden, by Conway Hall, is two-for-two this season, with both wins having come at Vernon. Trained by Steven Pratt, Barn Holden has five career wins and almost $130,000 in earnings. Chaptiama, by Chapter Seven, finished second in the NYSS final last season. Trained by Smedshammer, Chaptiama will make his three-year-old debut after two wins and over $180,000 earned in 2019.
Berkery J (Scott Zeron) and Beerthirty K (Tyler Buter) appear to be the entry's main competition.
Berkery J, by Chapter Seven, has won three times and almost $150,000 for trainer George Ducharme. Beerthirty K, by Credit Winner, is trained by John Berger. Beerthirty K was one for eight and earned just short of $100,000 as a freshman. Berkery J and Beerthirty K will both start their sophomore seasons at Vernon on Wednesday.
Vernon's 15-race Wednesday card will get underway at 4 p.m.
For more information, head to vernondowns.com.
(Vernon Downs)