Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs played host to the Big Apple finals for 2-year-old trotters and pacers on Saturday (Oct. 11), with driver Jason Bartlett winning three of the four $250,000 events for the freshmen.
Fragment (Bartlett) was dominant in the Big Apple final for pacing colts and geldings. He was first to the quarter in :25.4. Lakewood Nick (Yannick Gingras) came first-up to challenge heading down the backstretch. Fragment led to the half in :55.2 and cruised to three-quarters in 1:24.
Hunting Glory (Jordan Stratton) went all out after the leader as they made the turn for home. Fragment then took off like a rocket, leaving everyone else in his dust as he won by 11-3/4 lengths in a lifetime best of 1:50. Hunting Glory finished second and Ghost Hunt (Ray Schnittker) was third.
Fragment ($2.30), a colt by Huntsville-The Show Returns, is trained by Per Engblom for owners Engblom Stable, Douglas Sipple, and Peaceful Acre Farm. It was his eighth career win in 12 starts and pushed his earnings to $508,079.
Spencer Hanover (Bartlett) smashed the track record in the Big Apple final for trotting colts and geldings.
Favorite AI (Gingras) went on a break before the start. Twin B Seven Sins (Tyler Buter) led to the quarter in :26.2. He then went on a break heading to the half as Read The Room (Dylan Huckabone-Miller) then took over the lead and was first to the half in :54.2. Titans Mischief (Matt Kakaley) came first-up heading around the final turn. Read The Room led to three quarters in 1:23.4.
As they reached the stretch, Spencer Hanover made his move three-wide, blowing right on by and getting his first career win in 1:52.3, a track record for all 2-year-old trotters. Who’s Eyes Blues (Brett Beckwith) finished second. Titans Mischief had to settle for third.
Spencer Hanover ($6.92), a colt by Chapter Seven-Secret Passion, is owned by Jeff Snyder and Arthur Pronti and trained by Marcus Melander.
Long Shore (Gingras) held on to capture the Big Apple final for pacing fillies.
Liberty Style (Bartlett) was first to the quarter in :26.2. Long Shore came flying first-over heading down the backstretch. Liberty Style had a short lead to the half in :55.4, but Long Shore led to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
As they entered the stretch, Odds On Monetary (Ridge Warren) came first-up to challenge. Existential (Kakaley) made a late bid, but Long Shore dug in and won in 1:51.4. Existential was second and Odds On Monetary third.
Long Shore ($5.44) is a filly by American Ideal-Butchie Beach. Joe Pavia Jr. trains for owners Vince Ferriero Jr., Dominic Pavia, Eric Prevost, and Todd Frocione. It was her seventh career win in nine starts.
Nezuko Kamado S (Bartlett) was impressive in the Big Apple final for trotting fillies.
Storybook Love (Todd Ratchford) took the lead and was first to the quarter in :27. Nezuko Kamado S then took command and led to the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Storybook Love and Sharp Seven (Jeff Gregory) went all out after the leader, but Nezuko Kamado S was too strong as she equaled the track record for 2-year-old trotting fillies in 1:54. Storybook Love finished second, a length back, and Sharp Seven was third.
Nezuko Kamado S ($5.06) is a filly by Chapter Seven-Zefira Kronos IT. She is owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander, who swept the trot finals. Nezuko Kamado S has won five times in eight starts.
Bartlett drove four winners altogether. Leon Bailey drove five winners on the 15-race card.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (Oct. 17) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.