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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Favorites vanquished in Vernon NYSS

Vernon, N.Y. -- Neither favorite prevailed in New York Sire Stakes action at Vernon Downs on Saturday (May 21) evening, with 3-year-old trotting colts Smalltownthrowdown ($8.70) and Sir Royson ($42.00) prevailing in their respective $61,300 events.

In the first division, carded as race six, Smalltownthrowdown yielded to even-money choice Allerage Echo (Jim Morrill, Jr.) upon reaching the backstretch, vacating the pegs and dueling to a 1-1/4 length victory after enjoying a clear tracking journey. Trainer Dan Daley drove the Cash Hall colt to a 1:56 score over sloppy going, defeating Allerage Echo by 1-1/4 lengths. Third-place finisher A Jersey Contract (Jeff Gregory) was 2-3/4 lengths farther back.

Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford, IV, Donald renner, and Richard Lombardo own Smalltownthrowdown.

The compexion of the eighth-race second division changed entirely when 2-5 favorite Dayson (Morrill) broke stride at race's midpoint. Jim Marohn, Jr. worked Sir Royson out of traffic on the far turn, drawing off to a 3-1/4 length victory in 1:56 after reeling in pacesetter Sweet Royalty (Gregory) in upper stretch. The Crazed colt sprinted off through a :27.4 final quarter mile to defeat Dexter Cup winner Dante (Oskar Florhed) and Reve Royale (Chris Lems) for trainer Linda Toscano and owner R-and-I Farms, LLC.

Marohn led all drivers with three wins on the 12-race program, also teaming up with Southern Palms ($15.60, 1:57.2) and Uncle Mack ($21.40, 1:58.1) in $15,000 Excelsior A events.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (May 27) evening, with post time scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Eastern time.


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