by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Media
There were three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for
2-year-old colt pacers on Saturday night at Vernon Downs and driver Marcus
Miller won two of them. All three divisions had purses of $37,266.
The first division went as the sixth race on Saturday and
Azorean Art (Art Major-Dancin Barefoot) rallied from last place on the far turn
to pass the entire field and win in 1:52.3. The early pace was fast in this
division with a 25.3 quarter and a half in 54.3 for American Crossroad (Marcus
Miller). Azorean Art was driven to victory by Mark Macdonald, one of four wins
for him on the Saturday program. The trainer is Jimmy Takter and the colt is
owned by Cristina Takter, Brixton Medical, and Hatfield Stables.
The first division also included a disqualification of
third-place finisher Oneisalonelynumber, who went on a break on the first turn
and caused significant interference in the field. He was placed last after the
DQ. The complete order of finish for the first division was: Azorean Art,
Sicily, The Spy, We Think Alike, American Crossroad, K-Rock, and
Oneisalonelynumber. Southwind Masimo was a scratch (sick).
The Marcus Miller Show began with the next division of the
Sire Stakes, carded as the seventh race. He drove Betting Exchange (Bettor's
Delight-Cheeky Hanover) to a victory at 21-1, paying $44.80 to win and keying a
$415.50 exacta. Betting Exchange was second for the majority of the mile,
sitting behind the pacesetter, Americanprimetime (Jim Marohn Jr.). Miller made
the winning move with Betting Exchange in deep stretch, angling out to move
past Americanprimetime and get up for the victory in the final strides in a
time of 1:51.1. Betting Exchange is trained by Tom Fanning and is owned by
Howard Taylor, Susan Kajfasz, and Tom Fanning.
The complete order of finish for the
second division was: Betting Exchange, Americanprimetime,
Freedomformysoul, Cartoon Daddy, Yippity Hanover,
and Nobettorplacetobe. Mikado Blue Chip was a scratch (sick).
The third and final division of the New York
Sire Stakes was the ninth race on the program and Marcus Miller came
through again, guiding Penji Hanover (Art Major-Platinum Hanover) to
victory in 1:53.2. It was a well-timed drive by Miller, who sent Penji Hanover down
the outside in the stretch to win just a heartbeat ahead of Bet You (Mark
Macdonald), who conversely tried to come up the inside and had to wait the
extra moment to get room and that proved costly. Penji Hanover
is trained by Tony Alagna and the owned is W. Springtime Racing Stable.
The complete order of finish for
the third division was Penji Hanover, Bet You, Berkley, K Ryan
Bluechip, Ultimate G, Aimo Hanover, My Spirit Soars, and Play The Field.
Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Monday with a special
Labor Day matinee program. First post time is 1:15pm. 5+55
