Eight post, sloppy track no issue in $110,100 NYSS

Vernon Downs played host to a huge harness racing night of New York Sire Stakes action Saturday (Aug. 12) that featured a $110,100 division for two-year-old pacing colts and two $52,000-plus divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies. The races were held over a sloppy track.

The 9^th race was the $110,100 division for the pacing colts and racing fans smartly wagered Huntingforchrome (Huntsville) as the race favorite and the gelding did not disappoint.

With driver Joe Bongiorno in the sulky, Huntingforchrome left from post eight but had to battle with Darius (Mark MacDonald) to the opening quarter mile in :27 before being able to clear to the lead.

Once on top there was no stopping Huntingforchrome as he led to the half mile in :58 with Supplemental Fee (Brian Sears) marching up first-over.  By the three-quarters in 1:26.2, Supplemental Fee was within a head of pacesetter Huntingforchrome, but that would be the closest they would get.

By the stretch, Huntingforchrome was up by two lengths and increased on that margin by the wire, winning by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:52.3, a :26.1 last quarter mile on the off track. Supplemental Fee was second with Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) third.

HUNTINGFORCHROME REPLAY

It was the third straight win in just four lifetime starts for Huntingforchrome. He is trained by Jenn Bongiorno for owner Robert Di Nozzi and paid $3.20 to win.

The 6^th race was the first division for the fillies with a purse of $52,500. The race saw favorite Camerican (Joe Bongiorno) scoot right to the early lead to the first quarter in :28.3 and then Blue Point (Jason Bartlett) take command of the race going to the half mile in :57.4.

Bronx Barista (Huntsville) and driver Mark MacDonald then came first-over in the backstretch, giving second-over cover to Lady Saturn (Brett Crawford) who tried going three-wide unsuccessfully as they passed the three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Bronx Barista was then able to clear by Blue Point to take the lead coming down the stretch and was able to hold off Camerican to win by a half a length in 1:53.2. Blue Point was third.

BRONX BARISTA REPLAY

It was the third win in six lifetime starts for Bronx Barista. She is trained by Ray Schnittker and was bred by Ted Gewertz, who co-owns the filly with Ray Schnittker and the Kitefield Stable, paying $7.70 to win.

The 8^th race was the second NYSS division for the pacing fillies with a purse of $53,500 and there was no one catching So Well Dressed (So Surreal) as driver Brian Sears sent the filly right to the lead and never looked back.

Starting from post seven, So Well Dressed cut fractions of :28.3 and 1:00.2 before the race favorite Delightville (Matt Kakaley) came first-over before the three-quarters in 1:29.3, but it was too little too late as So Well Dressed held the field at bay through the stretch to win by one length in 1:55.4 over Delightville with Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) third.

SO WELL DRESSED REPLAY

It was the second straight win and fourth of the season in just six starts for So Well Dressed. She is trained by Chuck Connor, Jr. for breeder Janice Connor, who co-owns with Robert Lovett and paid $7.60 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink