by Jim Moran, for Vernon Downs

VERNON, NY – The top rated sophomore colt pacer Kenneth J gave his many backers a few anxious moments before coming through with a speedy 1:50.4 victory in New York Sires Stakes action on Saturday night (June 23) at Vernon Downs.

A heavy favorite in the $30,894 eighth event, Kenneth J idled in fourth to the half as The Best zipped through the first four furlongs in :55.2 and buzzed to the third split in 1:23. With Jim Morrill, Jr. urging him on, Kenneth J rallied from third in the final quarter and just managed to nip his upstart rival (The Best) by a head at the conclusion of the thrilling 1:50.4 mile.

The hard-pressed tally marked the third tally in five starts for Kenneth J, top ranked in the U. S. Trotting Association’s Experimental Champion Ratings for 2007. The thrilling mile was the fastest of the season at the Downs and missed the all-time Vernon speed standard by just one tick of the timer. Linda Toscano trains the career-winner of $591,499.

“This was a heck of a race for [Kenneth J], said happy owner Ken Jacobs following the near upset. “He was sick when he finished fifth in the Pepsi North America Cup final in Canada last Saturday, so it was good to see him back on his game tonight.”

“The outcome was never in doubt,” said a smiling Morrill following the memorable mile. “He raced great tonight. I didn’t even have to pull his earplugs.”

The Z-Tam Racing Stable’s Forensic Z Tam had set the 2007 Vernon speed standard at 1:51.2 with his unchallenged NYSS triumph in Saturday’s $30,894 second race. Trainer Patrick Lachance guided the bay son of Bettor’s Delight to his second win in four season’s appearances.

“My colt was excellent tonight; I was very happy with his performance,” Lachance admitted. “When you call on him, he answers.”

The other 3-year-old colt/gelding pacers finishing first in Saturday’s $154,470 NYSS headliner were Wealth Manager, in 1:51.4 for trainer Ray Van Dreason and owner Dave Towne; Mr. Apples, in 1:54.2 for driver Morrill, trainer/co-owner George Teague, Jr. and his partner Rodney Mitchell, Inc., and Capital Advisor, in 1:52.4 for trainer/driver Jay Randall and the Finelli, Randall ownership contingent.

Divisional winners in the C.K.G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters were William Mulligan, who teamed Gibralter to a 2:00.4 tally, and Vernon owner Vladimir Melnichenko, who steered Partial Hit to a 2:01 triumph.

DOWNS DOINGS—Morrill ended up with four wins during the 12-race pari-mutuel program, while Okusko earned his ninth driving double of the Vernon campaign…Kenneth J’s next start will be in the eliminations for the $1 million Meadowlands Pace, while Forensic Z Tam will compete in the Monticello Gold Rush in his next outing.