Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs played host to eight Big Apple elimination winners for freshmen fillies as well as their counterpart colts & geldings on Friday (Oct. 2). All eliminations raced for $20,000. All the qualifiers will race for $250,000 on Friday (Oct. 9).
Jula Florence won the first elimination division of the 2026 Big Apple Trot for 2-year-old fillies, stopping the clock in 1:55.1. Driven by Tyler Miller and trained by Julie Miller, she took the lead at the three-quarter pole and held off a late charge to secure the victory.
The next three finishers who automatically qualify for the $250,000 Big Apple Filly Trot Final are: Anabella (Brett Beckwith), Moonlight Kiss (Corey Callahan), and Hl Kapara (Jason Bartlett).
Jula Florance is a filly by Chapter Seven-Jula Shes Magic. She is owned by Andy Miller Stable, Windsong Stable, and Dumain Haven Farm. It was her fourth career win.
Kountry Plunge ($2.10) won the second elimination division of the Big Apple Trot for 2-year-old fillies at Vernon Downs with a quick 1:54.1 mile. Just 1/5 of a second off the track record.
The next three finishers earning an automatic spot in the $250,000 Big Apple Filly Trot Final are: Wavy Xavie (Jeff Gregory), Secret Lover (Jason Bartlett), and Seven Thirds (Matt Kakaley). Solar Queen finished fifthth and will enter a draw against Diana Hanover to determine the final wild card spot.
Kountry Plunge is a filly by Chaper Seven-Plunge Blue Chip. She is trained by Åke Svanstedt for owners: OBM Stable, Svanstedt & Midnight Sun, Bender Sweden Inc., and Ecurie Diocles AB. It was his sixth career victory.
Carly Shay (Brett Beckwith) dominated the first elimination division of the Big Apple Pace for 2-year-old fillies at Vernon Downs, leading from gate-to-wire to win easily in 1:51.2 paying $8.82.
The next three finishers to qualify for the filly pace final were Huntsville Honey (Tyler Buter), Prop Bet (Matt Kakaley) and Real Choice (Jason Bartlett).
Carly Shay is a filly by Huntsville-Carly Girl. She is trained by Megan Scran for owners SCN Stable, Mark Robinson, Kyle Gray, and Hutchinson Harness. It was her first career win.
Cowboy Candy (Jason Bartlett) fired late to romp in the second elimination in a lifetime best of 1:51.3 paying $2.44.
The next three that qualified were: Annie O (Jeff Gregory), Shadow Of A Girl (Matt Kakaley), and Phast Phyllis (Braxten Boyd).Too Pink To Pass and Hunt Me Down will enter a draw for the final slot.
Cowboy Candy is a filly by So Surreal-Caviart Elena. She is owned by Chain Lightning Stables and trained by Aaron Lambert. It was her seventh win in nine career starts.
Ocean Storm (Brett Beckwit) used a gate-to-wire route to destroy the field in 1:53 in the first elimination for trotting colts & geldings. He paid $2.22 for the win.
The next three qualifiers were Bailey J (Jason Bartlett), Betelgeusebluechip (Tyler Buter), and T Money (Braxten Boyd) .
Cowboy Candy is a colt by Chapter Seven-Empressive Hill. He is trained by Cam Capone for owners, APH Holding, Jeff Gural, Paul Kautz, and Jean Pierre Barjon. It was career win number four.
Gio’s Hope (Jason Bartlett) made his move around the final turn getting the win in a lifetime best of 1:54. Paying $2.78 for the win in the second division for colts & gelding trotters.
Archon (Jordan Stratton), Uncle Rob (Tyler Miller) and telling Tall Tales (Tyler Buter) all qualified for the final. Leader Kronos, Bigtime Chapter, and Lionel Station will be in the draw for the final spot.
Hope is a colt by Chapter Seven-Southwind Hope. He is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Brixton Medical and Hatfield Stables. It was his fourth career victory.
Rose Run Cowboy (Jason Bartlett) won the first elimination for pacing colts & geldings. He took over at the halfway point and stormed home in 1:52.3 paying $2.82 for the win.
Clear Deal (Aaron Byron), Maries Jet (Braxten Boyd), and Primacy Station (Matt Kakaley) all qualified for the final.
Rose Run Cowboy is a colt by Huntsville-Blameitonthenight. He is trained by Ron Burke for owners Thomas and Scott Dillion. It was career win number four.
Global Choice (Jason Bartlett) cruises to an easy win in the second division for pacing colts & gelding winning in a lifetime best of 1:50.3 paying $3.34 for the victory.
Its News To Me (Leon Bailey), Rowdy Station (Brett Beckwith), and My Body Guard (Matt Kakaley) all qualified. Hunt Me Down and Coco Wells will be in the draw for the final spot.
Global Choice is a Courtly Choice-Peak Of Chic. He is owned by Gino Toscani and trained by Gary Merner Jr. It was his second career win.
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Once again, all the Big Apple Finals will be on Friday (Oct. 9).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (Oct. 3) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.