NYSS hits Vernon on Memorial Day

Vernon Downs welcomes the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) with two harness racing divisions each for both 3-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.  Also on hand will be the annual mini-horse race on Memorial Day Monday (5-29).

Instagram Model (Chapter Seven, Scott Zeron) is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $61,400 first division of the NYSS for 3-year-old filly trotters.  The filly trained by Annie Stoebe is making her 3-year-old debut after a five-win freshmen campaign.

Ruth Honig (Chapter Seven, Jordan Stratton) is the one to beat in the $60,300 second division for NYSS fillies.  The filly is trained by Lucas Wallin.  She is one for two as a sophomore and owns four career victories.

The $59,200 first division of the NYSS for colts and geldings will feature two of the top trotters from a year ago as the Marcus Melander trained Crown (Chapter Seven, Brian Sears) meets The Gruffalo (Chapter Seven, Jordan Stratton) trained by Mark Harder.  Crown makes his 3-year-old debut after a four-win freshmen season.  The Gruffalo won the 2-year-old NYSS trotting championship in 2022.  The colt is also making his 3-year-old debut.

Kilmister (Chapter Seven, Brian Sears) is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the $59,200 second division for colts and geldings.  The Marcus Melander trained colt makes his 3-year-old debut.  He is coming off a five-win freshmen season where he won over $400,000.

The popular mini horses return for a special exhibition race as well.  After the mini stars race their little hearts out, they will be going to Heritage Park to meet all the great boys and girls on hand.

The 12 all stakes race card also includes eight Excelsior A series races.  The matinee starts at 12:15.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs