by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs hosted leg number five of the Kindergarten Classic featuring all 2-year-old classes on Thursday (Oct. 26).

Fotowon photo

Tito was a 1:55.2 winner for Andrew McCarthy.

The first Kindergarten Classic race was for trotting colts and geldings. Tito (Andrew McCarthy) took over just before the half and glided to an easy victory in 1:55.2. Seven Iron (Tim Tetrick) finished second and Glider Man (Corey Callahan) settled for third. Tito (Muscle Mass-Stonebridge Encore) is owned by Anthony Lombardi, George Golemes, and Louis Willinger, while trained by Erv Miller. The colt paid $3.60 while picking up his third career victory.

Sevenbuyeleven (Tetrick) won the Kindergarten Classic for freshman trotting fillies. The daughter of Chapter Seven-Musclelini put up all the fractions, :28.2, :55, 1:28.3, and 1:56.3. Owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, the winner bested runner-up Megadolce (McCarthy) and third place finisher Maria Deo (Larry Stalbaum). Sevenbuyeleven ($3.60) won for the fourth time in 10 starts.

Points North (McCarthy) won the Kindergarten Classic for freshman pacing colts and geldings. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Northwest Hanover), owned by the Pinske Stables and trained by Nifty Norman, went first-over just before the three-quarters and took over at the top of the stretch. The colt held off a late charge by Rockapelo (Tetrick) to capture the win in 1:52.4. Casual Cool (Marcus Miller) and California Cruisin (Mike Simons) ended up in a dead heat for third. Points North ($14.80) posted win number six on the season.

I’m Trigger Happy (Corey Callahan) won the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The Art Major-Shot Togo Bluechip miss went gate-to-wire by putting up all the fractions, :27.4, :57.3, 1:26.3, and 1:53.4. Owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc. and trained by Ross Croghan, she would put them away in the stretch, winning by five lengths. Alexa’s Power (David Miller) finished second with Aldine Hanover (Atlee Bender) finishing third. I’m Trigger Happy ($5.00) won for the fourth time in five lifetime starts.

The Kindergarten finals will be held at the Meadowlands on Saturday (Nov. 4).

Vernon Downs returns to live action on Friday (Oct. 27) with a nine-race card starting at 6:45 p.m.