Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs played host to eight $55,000 New York Excelsior Finals on Friday (Sept. 13) with driver Jason Bartlett claiming victory in five of them.
In order:
Habanero Blues and driver Matt Kakaley charged late to win the 2-year-old male trot. The gelding by EL Titan-Habanero Honey won in a lifetime best of 1:56.4. Low Inside (Dan Daley) was second best. Poblano (Bartlett) finished third.
Habanaro Blues is owned by Fiddlers Creek Stables and trained by Travis Alexander. It was his second career victory.
Fashion Terror and Bartlett cruised to an easy win in the 2-year-old filly pace. The filly by Huntsville-High Fashion Model won in a lifetime best of 1:53.2. Princess America (Kakaley) finished second. Feeling Right (Mark MacDonald) was third.
She is owned by All Star Racing and trained by Mark Ford. It was her fourth win in seven lifetime starts.
Inn Of The Stars and Bartlett captured the 2-year-old filly trot. The filly by Chapter Seven-Met’s Inn equaled her lifetime best of 1:57. Flashchap (Jordan Stratton) was second. Tuff Stuff (John Stark Jr.) finished third.
Inn Of The Stars is owned by Bay Pond Racing and trained by John Butenschoen. She now has four wins in seven lifetime starts.
Tempville and Jordan Stratton hoed on to win the 3-year-old filly pace in a lifetime best 1:52.1. OBJ (Kakaley) finished second. Petrol Queen (Braxten Boyd) was third.
Tempville is a filly by Huntsville owned by Purple Haze Stables and trained by George Ducharme. It was her ninth win in 14 career starts.
It Wasn’t Me and Bartlett won the 3-year-old male trot in 1:54.2. Ramborain (MacDonald) finished second. Sky Box (Wally Hennessey) was third.
It Wasn’t Me is a gelding by Chapter Seven owned by Big Sky Ranch and trained by Michelle Warner. It was his second win this season. He now has three career victories.
Invictus and Bartlett held on to win the 2-year-old male pace in a lifetime best 1:53. Digging For Gold (Stratton) finished second. Groovin Will (Greg Merton) was third.
Invictus is a gelding by Huntsville-Dark Force owned by Jeffrey Nanna and trained by Roland Mallar. It was his third career victory.
Nymeria and Kakaley dominated the 3-year-old filly trot in a lifetime best 1:54. Erin (Dan Daley) was second. Central Park (Marcus Miller) finished third.
Nymeria is a filly by Chapter Seven. Travis Alexander trains for owners Alexander M Spacc Stable, Fiddler’s Creek Stables, Tar Heel Racing and Lone Wolf Stable. It was her eighth career victory.
Escape To America and Bartlett slipped by Pop It (MacDonald) to grab the 3-year-old male pace in 1:51.4. Ideal Par (Kakaley) was third.
Escape To America is a colt by American Ideal. He is trained by Deborah Daguet for owners John Darrah and Lawrence Keethe. It was his sixth win this season and ninth career victory.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (Sept. 14) starting at 6:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.