Buter sweeps $51,500 NYSS divisions

Harness racing driver Tyler Buter won both divisions of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting fillies at Vernon Downs on Friday (August 18).

Buter captured the $51,500 first division with Sadbirdstillsing (Chapter Seven-Fade Into You).

Evangelina (Marcus Miller) took the lead just before hitting the quarter first in :28.4.  Star Attraction (Mark MacDonald) took over the lead heading for the backstretch and was first to the half in :58.2.  Seven Year Itch (Joe Bongiorno) came first-up to challenge going around the final turn.  Star Attraction got to three-quarters first in 1:28.1.

As they reached the stretch Seven Year Itch and Star Attraction continue to battle.  Seven Year Itch got the lead at mid-stretch.  Sadbirdstillsing made her moving going three-wide just getting by second place finisher Seven Year Itch to win in 1:56.3.  Star Attraction had to settle for third.

Sadbirdstillsing is trained by Tony Alagna for owners Crawford Farms Racing and Pryde Stables Inc.  It was her first career victory and she paid $3.30 to win.

SADBIRDSTILLSING REPLAY

Buter also drove R Melina (Chapter Seven-Goodtogo Hanover) to an easy win in the $51,500 second division.

R Melina went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :29.3.  She used a :31.0 second quarter to lead to the half in 1:00.3.  She remained in control to three-quarters in 1:30.0.

As they made the turn for home Erin popped out of the pocket and went all out after the leader.  R Melina shook her off and then repelled the late charge of second Place Shirin (Marcus Miller) to win easily in 1:57.3.  Erin finished third.

R Melina is a filly trained by John Butenshoen for owners M&L of Delaware and Alabama Harness Associates.  It was her fourth win in five lifetime starts. She paid $2.20 to win.

R MELINA REPLAY

Buter drove four winners on the card.  He got his other wins with Dozen and Barn CJ.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (August 26) with a 13-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs