by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — With the harness racing world poised on Vernon Downs on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions, one of the most intriguing divisions falls in the ninth race for the sophomore colt and gelding pacers.

Perennial New York Sire Stakes king Jim Morrill, Jr. had been the main driver for three of the top pacers in the class with OK Braveheart, Hypnotic Blue Chip, and Handsome Harry until last week. When all three drew in together at Yonkers Raceway, Morrill had a tough decision on his hands and ended up making the winning decision by picking Handsome Harry.

Fred Brown photo

Handsome Harry leads the field into the NYSS final for 3-year-old colt pacers.

“He (Handsome Harry) had the rail last week so that played a big factor in my decision,” said Morrill. “I liked the spot last week and it was a decision I had to make. If I would have been third to those two horses last week I wouldn’t have been surprised because they are all so talented.

“I wasn’t looking towards the final in the decision I made last week because they were going for $109,000. Depending on the early fractions on Saturday night, I think they will have to go in (1:) 49 and a piece or (1:) 50 and a piece to win, they are all such nice colts.

In the $175,000 final for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday night, All Spirit and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. have been slated as the 5-2 morning line favorite. The daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Spirit Of Ivy has won seven of 14 seasonal starts with a mark of 1:53 taken at Tioga Downs for trainer Tim Lanpher.

“She’s coming into the race pretty fresh, and she has speed that she can carry out through the entire mile,” said driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr.

All Spirit has drawn post position eight in a field of nine for the night’s seventh event.

Morrill also commented on his mount in the 3-year-old filly pace and believes Eagle Way has a good shot to win on Saturday night.

“Eagle Way is a nice filly, she has just as good of a shot as any in that race; she is healthy and sound for how long the season’s been and with any luck we should be right on the wire with the rest of them.”

The 3-year-old colt trot looks to be a showdown between the two Takter trained colts in Judge Joe and Russell Hill. Judge Joe and John Campbell have been slated as the 2-1 morning line favorite with Russell Hill and Jim Morrill, Jr. second choice at 3-1.

Judge Joe is coming into the $175,000 final off a fifth place finish in the C$1 million Canadian Trotting Classic at Mohawk Racetrack last Saturday night. However Russell Hill has posted eight wins in 2009 and has only missed the board on two occasions this season.

“Judge Joe is the horse to beat in this race,” said Morrill. “I thought coming into it I would have the horse to beat, but Russell Hill gives you everything he has every race, and with any luck we will be looking for the upset.”

Vernon Downs will also welcome all California betting sites for the seventh, eighth, and ninth events on Saturday night’s card which will be in order the 3-year-old filly pace, 3-year-old colt trot, and 3-year-old colt pace.

For more information or for a free downloadable program for Saturday night’s New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions visit www.vernondowns.com.