NYSS rookies battle at Vernon

Vernon Downs hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing fillies as well as a leg for pacing colts & geldings on Saturday (August 12).

Bronx Barista (Huntsville-Apricot Sour, Mark MacDonald) took the $52,500 first division for fillies.

Camerican (Joe Bongiorno) led to the first quarter in :28.3.  Blue Point (Jason Bartlett) went on by and led to the half in :57.4.  She remained in control and led to three-quarters in 1:26.4.

As they made the turn for home Bronx Barista ($7.70) made her move first-over. And challenged for the lead as Camerican came three-wide in the stretch.  Bronx Barista had the jump and won in 1:53.2.  Camerican was second best.  Blue Point had to settle for third.

Bronx Barista is a filly owned by Ted Gewertz, Kitefield Stable, and trainer Ray Schnittker.  She now has three career victories.

So Well Dressed (So Surreal-Gotmyredressontnt, Brian Sears) won the $53,500 second division for fillies.

So Well Dressed ($7.60) was first to the quarter in :28.3.  She slowed things down with a :31.4 second quarter and led to the half in 1:00.2.  She led the way to three-quarters in 1:29.3.

As they reached the stretch Delightville (Matt Kakaley) went to the outside and Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) slipped through on the inside.  So Well Dressed dug in and won in 1:55.4.  Deiightville was second.  Peace Talks finished third.

So Well Dressed is a filly .  She is owned by Janice Connor and Robert Lovett while trained by Chuck Connor Jr.  It was her fourth win in six career starts.

Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover, Joe Bongiorno) captured the $110,000 NYSS for pacing colts & geldings.

Darius (Mark MacDonald) grabbed the early lead but Huntingforchrome ($3.20) took over just before hitting the quarter first in :27.0.  He used a :31.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.0.  Supplemental Fee (Brian Sears) came first-over going around the final turn.  Huntingforchrome led to three-quarters in 1:26.2.

As they reached the stretch Huntingforchrome found another gear and won easily in 1:52.3.  Supplemental Fee was second best.  Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) took home third money.

Huntingforchrome is a gelding owned by Robert Di Nozzi and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno.  It was his third win in four starts.

Barton Dalious had a driving Grand Slam.  Bongiorno and Mark MacDonald had driving triples.  Ray Schnittker had a training triple

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (August 18) starting at 4:00 p.m.

For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs