by John Horne, for Vernon Downs
Vernon, NY — Andy Miller won both divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts at Vernon Downs on Thursday night (Sept. 7).
Fotowon photo
Tito was a 1:57.1 winner in his NYSS division on Thursday.
Miller won the $54,500 first division with Tito (Muscle Mass-Stonebridge Encore). Owned by Anthony Lombardi, George Golemes, and Louis Willinger, while trained by Erv Miller, Tito posted a gate-to-wire victory, with fractions of :28.4, 1:00.1, 1:28.4, and 1:57.1. Six Pack (Ake Svanstedt) would make a run at the big favorite, but had to settle for the runner-up spot. Ronnie Goldstein (Kim Crawford) finished third.
Tito ($3.80) won for the second time in eight starts and the 1:57.1 score was his fastest. The freshman trotter won his first race his last time out, taking a leg of the NYSS at Batavia Downs on Aug. 27.
In the $54,500 second division of the NYSS, Miller would guide Don (Credit Winner-Angostura) to an easy win. He would go right to the lead and never look back, controlling all the fractions, :28, :58.4, 1:27.2, and 1:56.1. The colt is owned by the Andy Miller Stable with Little E LLC and is trained by Julie Miller. Longshot Rich Uncle (Jimmy Whittemore) would give a late chase and finish second. Seven Iron (John MacDonald) was third best.
Don ($4.20) would get his second win in five starts. He previously won a leg of the NYSS at Monticello Raceway on July 31.
Leading driver John MacDonald continued to dominate at the miracle mile with six more wins. MacDonald would get victories with Drea’s Good Powow ($3.70), Helpisontheway ($13.80), If Not Why Not ($2.80), I Saw Red ($3.90), Stirling Electra ($3.30) and Three Handbags ($5.00). He now has 110 wins at Vernon Downs this season.
Vernon Downs returns to live action on Friday at 6:45 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.