Gimpanzee strolls to easy NYSS win at Vernon
August 30, 2018,by John Horne, for Vernon Downs
Vernon, NY — Gimpanzee ($2.10) stayed undefeated with a 1:54.3 win in the first of two New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) events for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Vernon Downs on Thursday (Aug. 30).
Fotowon photo
Gimpanzee remained undefeated with an easy New York Sire Stakes score on Thursday at Vernon Downs.
In the $53,500 event, Chapter Fashion (Jason Bartlett) charged to the front and hit the first quarter in :27.4 while Gimpanzee and Brian Sears followed in the pocket. Gimpanzee took over just before getting to the half in :57 and cruised into three-quarters in 1:25.4, with Chapter Fashion staying close in second. As they hit the stretch, Gimpanzee found another gear and won in a lifetime-best 1:54.3. Chapter Fashion was easily second best, while Our White Knight (Jim Morrill Jr.) came up to finish third.
Gimpanzee is a son of Chapter Seven and Steamy Windows trained by Marcus Melander for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. He is a perfect five-for-five in his career.
Thunder ($6.30) took the $54,500 second NYSS division and also recorded a lifetime mark in the process.
Jason Bartlett sent Thunder right to the front, but Brady Bunch (Andy Miller) took the lead away before hitting the first quarter in :27.4. Thunder countered to reclaim the lead and controlled middle fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.1. Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) came up to challenge around the last turn but Thunder was too strong, flying home in the stretch to win in 1:55.4. Chip Chip Conway settled for second with Brady Bunch earning third money.
Thunder, a son of Conway Hall and CR Oh Suzanna, earned his third win in six lifetime starts for trainer John Butenschoen and owners Crawford Farms Racing, Jeremey Day and the VIP Internet Stable LLC.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 31), with a 10-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.