Vernon Downs played host for two divisions of the New York Sire
Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore trotting colts & geldings on Friday (September
4).
Barn Holden (Mark MacDonald) holds on to win the $55,000 first
division.
Hobbs (Jason Bartlett) jumped out to the early lead but Barn
Holden ($6.10) went by and took over with a lap to go. He hit the first quarter first in :27.3. He used a :29.1 second quarter to hit the
half in :56.4. He would cruise to
three-quarters in 1:25.4.
Hobbs would make his move popping out of the pocket as they made
the turn for home. Barn Holden dug in as
Hobbs tried to get closer. Sky Castles
(Scott Zeron) came three-wide in deep stretch.
Hobbs gave one last lunge and Sky Castle a late surge but in the end
Barn Holden held on to win by a nose in 1:54.2.
Hobbs got second with Sky Castles taking third.
Barn Holden is a 3-year-old colt by Conway Hall. He is Owned by Nancy Pratt, Out In The
Country Stables, Purple Haze Stables, and trainer Steven Pratt. It was his fourth win this season and seventh
career victory.
Chaptiama (Trond Smedshammer) captures the $56,000 second division.
Third Shift (Ake Svanstedt) went straight to the front with
Berkery J (Scott Zeron) following in second.
Third Shift led to the first quarter in :28.3. They remained in single file with no change
in the order as Third Shift led to the half in :57.2. As they headed for three-quarters things
would change drastically. Third Shift
went on a break just as Berkey J was making his move first-over. Third Shift was first to three-quarters in 1:26.1
but he caused interference to Berkey J causing him to go on a break.
As they reached the stretch Beerthirty K (Tyler Buter) inherited
the lead but right away Chaptiama challenged him. The two sophomores began to slug in out all
the way down tvhe stretch with Chaptiama emerging as the winner in 1:55.2. Beerthirty K had to settle for second. Third Shift finished third but was placed
fifth for interference. Altus Hanover
(John MacDonald) was awarded third money.
Chaptiama is a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven. He is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and
trained by Smedshammer. It was his
fourth win in 2020. He now has six
career victories.
Jason Bartlett and Leon Bailey each drove two winners on the
card. Bartlett got his wins with Discus
Hanover ($2.20) and Grosseto As ($152.00).
Bailey went to the winner’s circle with The Big Bankroll ($9.40) and
Jenny Lake ($5.10).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (September 5) with
a 13-race card starting at 3:00 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com
