by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs
Vernon, NY — Brookroad Knight returned to his winning ways after posting the fastest clocking in the final division of Thursday night’s (September 29) $37,200 New York Sires Stakes late closer contest for 2-year-old male trotters at Vernon Downs.
Fotowon photo
Brookroad Knight was a 1:58.4 winner in the fastest of the three NYSS late closer races.
Competing over a “sloppy” track in the third and final flight of Thursday’s test for freshman representatives of the diagonal gait, Brookroad Knight idled in fourth as Leo Vincent cut a three-quarter-mile split in 1:29.2. With Dan Cappello, Jr. sitting in for trainer Bruce Borden, the bay son of CR Excalibur-Questionable closed from second at the top of the stretch (final quarter in :29) and out-hoofed the pocket-sitting Toga Town to the finish by one length.
The fast-closing, lifetime-best 1:58.4 effort resulted in the fourth win in the past five starts for the career-winner of $21,737, who is owned by breeder John W. O’Connor.
Thursday’s other late closer divisional victors were Hurrikane Brockton (Conway Hall-Global Possession) in 2:00.4 for driver Stephane Bouchard, trainer John McDermott, and the Jeffrey Kuhen, Hurrikane Racing and Jonathan Klee ownership contingent; and New York Attitude (Cash Hall-Four Starz Nanny) in 2:01.3 with Chuck Connor, Jr. teaming for trainer John Hallett and co-owners Michelle Hallett and L. Michelle Oglesby.
Thursday’s career-fastest tally was the third in succession for Hurrikane Brockton, while New York Attitude’s maiden-breaking performance improved his summary line to 1-1-3 after six starts.
Chuck Connor, Jr. recorded a double during the 12-race program after teaming Ocean’s Motion to a career-quickest 1:52 tally in Thursday’s $10,000 Open event for female pacers. It was the first win in two local tries, fifth current victory and 12th all-time score for the 4-year-old daughter of Camotion-CR Charisma, who is trained by Janice Connor (Chuck’s wife) and owned by Robert Lovett.
Rick Plano posted two sulky-sitting and training tallies during the track’s 70th program, while drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Frank Davis each recorded a pair of first-place finishes.