Sears and Melander dominate NYSS

Harness racing driver Brian Sears and trainer Marcus Melander combined for four wins including two New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) races as Vernon Downs played host to three divisions of the NYSS for 2-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Friday afternoon (July 22),

Kilmister (Chapter Seven-Treviso) and driver Brian Sears took the $35,900 first division.

The Strawboss (Jim Devaux) got the first call, but Some Kinda Crazy (Tyler Buter) spurted by just before hitting the first quarters in :28.0.  He used a :30.1 second quarter and was first to the half in :58.1.  Kilmister ($4.80) made his move heading around the final turn.  Some Kinda Crazy was first to three-quarters in 1:27.4.

As they made the turn for home Kilmister took over.  The Strawboss became the major danger.  But Kilmister was too strong and won in a lifetime best of 1:56.1.  The Strawboss had to settle for second.  Cecil Hanover Ake Svanstedt) finished third.

KILMISTER REPLAY

Owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander, Kilmister is now two for two this season.

The Gruffalo (Chapter Seven-Clementine) and driver Tyler Buter won the $36,600 second division.

Kilgore S (Brian Sears) led to the first quarter in :27.4.  Country Dagger (Melvin Schmucker) made the first move going first-over to challenge.  Kilgore S was first to the half in :57.3.  The two kept battling as Kilgore S led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.

As they made the turn for home The Gruffalo ($4.00) came charging three-wide and took over the lead.  Second place finisher Upnaway Blue Chip (Wally Hennessey) went all out on the chase but The Gruffalo dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:56.4.  Kierkegaard K (Ake Svanstedt) finished third.

THE GRUFFALO REPLAY

The Gruffalo is owned by Racing Team of America, Deana Frost, Emma Patterson, and trainer Mark Harder.  He is now two for two in 2022.

Crown (Chapter Seven-Amour Heiress) and driver Brian Sears captured the $36,600 third division.

Sevecheetah (Trond Smedshammer) led to the first quarter in :27.4.  Night Star (Jim Devaux) took a short lead heading to the backstretch.  Seven Over (Tyler Buter) took control just before hitting the half first in :57.0.  Met Your Request (Andy Miller) was next to make a move going first-over as Seven Over led to three-quarters in 1:26.2.

As they reached the stretch Met Your Request went on a break.  Crown ($2.70) came flying to take the lead.  Second place finisher Wild Bill Kelso (Wally Hennessey) used a late move to make it interesting but Crown had the jump and the win in a lifetime best of 1:55.3.  Barney Goldstein (Brett Crawford) finished third.

CROWN REPLAY

Crown is owned by S R F stable and trained by Marcus Melander.  He is now two for two in his young career.

Sears and Melander got their other wins in the Excelsior A series with Kaleun ($3.00), and You Got It ($3.90).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (July 23).  Post time for the 12-race card is 6:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs