by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Eight Excelsior A Series finals, featuring freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters with $360,000 in purse money, will comprise a special Sunday evening (Oct. 15) program at Vernon Downs. The 14-race card starts at 6:45 p.m. The finals are races seven through 14.

The first final, each goes for $45,000, is for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The morning line favorites are the joint entry of KJ’s Bekah (Jason Bartlett) and KJ’s Justine (Daniel Dube) at 5-2. Both fillies are owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano.

KJ’s Bekah (American Ideal-Upfrontandpersonal) has won three races and all three were Excelsior A contests, while KJ’s Justine (American Ideal-Day Blue Chip) also has two Excelsior A victories to account for her lifetime total.

The second final is for freshman trotting colts and geldings. The morning line favorite at 5-2 is the unbeaten On The Ropes (Chapter Seven – RS Giggles). Owner/trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt has guided the horse to five straight wins, which are all in this class.

The next final is for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The 5-2 morning line favorite is the entry of Dewar N Jack (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Rootin Tootin (Mark MacDonald).

Dewar N Jack (American Ideal-Hasty Dewar) is owned by Hutt Racing Stable and trained by Blake Macintosh. He has one Excelsior A victory, the only one of his career, in six starts.

Rootin Tootin (Roll With Joe-Wild Retreat) is owned by Stuart McIntosh and trainer Blake Macintosh. He has earned four wins in 10 starts. Three of the victories were Excelsior A wins.

The fourth final features 2-year-old trotting fillies.

The entry of Southwind Cookie (Ake Svanstedt) and I’mwhygodmadegirls (Jim Morrill Jr.) are the morning line favorites at 5-2.

Southwind Cookie (Chapter Seven-Southwind Cabaret), owned by Our Horse Cents Stable and J&T Silva Stables while being trained by Svanstedt, has three Excelsior A wins in seven starts.

I’mwhygodmadegirls (Credit Winner-Conwayslassie) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Silva, Purnel & Libby and trained by Ron Burke. She has one Excelsior A victory.

The first sophomore final features 3-year-old pacing fillies. Roll With Sparky (John MacDonald) is the 5-2 morning line favorite. Owned by Lee Writers, Paul Tandimayer, and trainer Jim Graham, the Roll With Joe filly, has won nine times during her sophomore season.

The next final is for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The morning line favorite is the entry of Big Man Ev (Andy Miller) and Southwind Cruze (Marcus Miller) at 2-1.

Big Man Ev (Chapter Seven), owned by Andy Miller Stable Inc., Lindy Racing Stable, and H A Eisman, is trained by Julie Miller and has seven wins this season including his last five.

Southwind Cruze (Chapter Seven) is owned by Andy Miller Stable and the Laurenzo Stable while also trained by Julie Miller. He has two Excelsior “A” victories on the season.

The next final is for sophomore pacing colts and geldings. The morning line favorite is Sir Pugsley (Daniel Dube) 5-2. The 3-year-old colt by American Ideal is owned by Mortberg Trust and trained by Donna Marshall. He has won over $100,000 this season with seven wins from 18 starts.

The morning line favorite for the last Excelsior A final for sophomore fillies, is Prairie Diamonds (Jeff Gregory) at 3-1. Owned by Frank Morosini, Laurie Poulin, Fritz Racing and trainer Mike Deters, she has six triumphs in 16 starts this season.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.