Huntsville progeny run rampant in NYSS

Vernon Downs played host to four harness racing divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing colts & geldings on a special Father’s Day Sunday matinee (June 19).  Driver Jordan Stratton won three of the four NYSS races.

Bounty Hunter (Huntsville) (Stratton) wins the $30,550 first division.

Bounty Hunter ($12.60) led to the first quarter in :27.0.  JD (Mark MacDonald) then took over heading to the top of the backstretch.  He was first to the half in :56.0.  Twin B Deluxe (Jason Bartlett) came first-up going around the far turn and took a slight lead before hitting three-quarters in 1:24.0.

As they headed to the stretch JD reclaimed a short lead.  Bounty Hunter came powering out of the pocket and went on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:52.2.  JD had to settle for second.  American Classic (Andy Miller) finished third.

BOUNTY HUNTER REPLAY

Bounty Hunter is a 3-year-old gelding by Huntsville. He is owned by Royal Wire Products and trained by Robert Cleary.  He now has two lifetime wins.

All About The Hunt (Huntsville) (David Miller) captures the $29,950 second division.

Hazeville (Mark Macdonald) took the lead and led to the quarter in :26.4.  All About The Hunt ($3.80) took over control as they headed for the half.  He was there first in :55.3.  Gone Before Dawn (Marcus Miller) came first-up and put on the pressure as All About The Hunt was first to three-quarters in 1:23.2.

As they made the turn for home All About The Hunt shook off Gone Before Dawn and breezed down the stretch to get his first career victory in 1:51.4.  Hazeville was second.  American Classic (Andy Miller) was third.

ALL ABOUT THE HUNT REPLAY

The Hunt is a 3-year-old colt by Huntsville.  He is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and Heather Marshall while trained by Ron Burke.

River Ness (Huntsville) (Stratton) takes the $29,950 third division.

River Ness ($14.80) was first to the quarter in :27.3.  Pleaseletmeknow (Matt Kakaley) took over the lead going down the backstretch and was first to the half in :55.4.  Early Action (David Miller) came first-over around the final turn.  Pleaseletmeknow led to the three-quarters in 1:24.0.

As they reached the stretch River Ness popped out of the pocket and the race was on.  Second place finisher Pleaseletmeknow held firm but River Ness used one final burst to win in 1:52.1.  Early Action held on to finish third.

RIVER NESS REPLAY

River Ness is a 3-year-old gelding by Huntsville.  He is trained by Ron Burke (two training wins) for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnell & Libby.  It was his second win this year.  He now has three career victories.

Seven Hundred (Huntsville) (Stratton) charges late to win the $30,550 fourth division.

Hurrikane Chuck (Mark MacDonald) led the way to the first quarter in :27.0.  Kingsville (Jason Bartlett) then took over and led to the half in :56.0.  Blue Collar Man (Dan Daley) was first to make a move going first-over.  Kingsville had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:23.4.

As they made the turn for home it looked like a mad scramble.  Seven Hundred ($16.20) slipped through on the inside while Top Genius (Tyler Buter) went four-wide and Stretch The Line (Marcus Miller) came five-wide.  In deep stretch it became a two-horse race as Seven Hundred held off Top Genius (second place) to win in 1:52.3.  Stretch The Line got third.

SEVEN HUNDRED REPLAY

Seven Hundred is a 3-year-old colt by Huntsville.  He is owned by Rick Berks and trained by Bruce Clarke.  It was his second win of the season.  He now has four career victories.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (June 24) with a post time of 6:05 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs