Vernon Downs will be offering a pair of New York Sire Stakes divisions for freshmen pacing colts and geldings this Friday (August 28).
In the $51,300 first division, all eyes will be on the unbeaten American Courage (who will be driven by Matt Kakaley). The American Ideal-Nota Fool Bluechip colt is trained by Travis Alexander and has yet to taste defeat after seven starts. He has won four legs of the NYSS plus a big win in the $104,250 fnal of the MGM Springfield Stakes at Yonkers Raceway.
The David Dziengiel-trained Sauvignon Bluechip (Tyler Buter) should be his toughest rival. The Art Major-Some Girls Do colt picked up a NYSS victory at Yonkers in his last start. He has finished second to American Courage on two occasions.
Ill Drink To That (Dexter Dunn) is the top choice in the $50,400 second division. The American Ideal-Margarita Monday colt just lost to American Courage by a half length in his last start. The Chris Ryder trainee has made four career starts to this point and has recorded a lone win, which came during NYSS action at Tioga Downs.
King James Express (Jason Bartlett) and Carrythetorchman (Marcus Miller) should be major contenders. King James Express (Art Major-More Diamonds) is trained by Mark Harder. The gelding has a NYSS win at Saratoga for his lone career victory. The Erv Miller trained Carrythetorchman is a colt by American Ideal-Kattimon. He has two wins in six career starts.
The 15-race card will start at 3 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)