Vernon welcomes two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes
(NYSS) for trotting colts & geldings on Wednesday (June 24).
The $59,000 first division features last year 2-year-old
NYSS final winner, Third Shift (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
3-year-old debut on Wednesday.
His top rivals include four time winners Sky Castles (Jason
Bartlett) and Bourbon Express (Tyler Buter), who will make their first starts
of 2020. Sky Castles (Conway Hall) is trained by Andrew Harris. He has
amassed almost $114,000 in career earnings. Jessica Okusko trains
sophomore gelding Bourbon Express (RC Royalty). He 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 (Conway Hall) is two for two this season with both wins
at Vernon. Trained by Steven Pratt, she has five career wins and almost
$130,000 in earnings. Chaptiama (Chapter Seven) finished second in the
NYSS final last season. Trained by Smedshammer, he will make his
3-year-old debut after two wins and over 180,000 earned in 2019.
Berkery J (Scott Zeron) and Beerthirty K (Tyler Buter)
should be their main competition. Berkery J (Chapter Seven) won three
times and almost $150,000 for trainer George Ducharme. Beerthirty K
(Credit Winner) is trained by John Berger. He was one for eight and
earned just short of $100,000 as a freshman. They both start their
sophomore seasons at Vernon on Wednesday.
The 15-race card on Wednesday (June 24) starts at 4 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com
