NYSS invades Vernon Downs Friday

Vernon Downs welcomes two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore harness racing pacing colts & geldings on Friday (August 20).

King James Express (Jason Bartlett) is the 3-2 morning line favorite in the $55,000 first division of the NYSS. Mark Harder trains the gelding by Art Major. He has NYSS wins this season at Batavia and Saratoga. He has six lifetime wins and has won nearly $300,000 in purses.

His top rival should be the Scott DiDomenico trained Major Bean (Matt Kakaley). The gelding by Art Major has three wins so far in 2021. He has four career victories and has amassed almost $95,000 in purses.

The $56,000 second division features a rematch between the Jennifer Bongiorno trained Town Gossip (Billy Dobson) and the Jessica Okusko trained Natameri (Matt Kakaley).

Natameri nipped Town Gossip in a NYSS race at Yonkers on Friday (August 13). Town Gossip is a gelding by American Ideal. He has four victories this season including NYSS wins at Saratoga and Batavia. The gelding has six career wins and has won over $260,000 lifetime.

Natameri is a colt also sired by American Ideal. He has four wins this season and six career victories. He put in an impressive 1:50.2 mile earlier this season at Vernon Downs. The 12-race card starts at 6:10 p.m. For more information, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs