Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old trotting fillies as well as 3-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Memorial Day (May 29).

Royal Filly (Tyler Buter) wins late duel to capture the $61,400 first division for fillies

Royal Filly ($12.80) was first to the quarter in :26.3.  Instagram Model (Scott Zeron) took the lead just before hitting the half first in :56.0.  Instagram Model was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Royal Filly won a late duel with Instagram Model to win the first division of the NYSS at Vernon Downs. Fotowon photo.

As they reached the stretch Royal Filly popped the pocket and came all out after Instagram Model.  Royal Filly wore her down to win in 1:52.0.  Instagram Model had to settle for second.  Kayleigh S (Brian Sears) finished third.

Royal Filly is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven.  She is owned by Crawford Farms and trained by Tony Alagna.  It was her first career win.

Sadie Hanover (Scott Zeron) cruises to easy win in the fillies $60,300 second division

Ruth Honig took the lead just before hitting the quarter first in :27.1.  She used a :30.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.4.  Sadie Hanover ($2.60) made her move heading to the final turn and she brushed right on by and led to three-quarters in 1:25.4.

As they made the turn for home it was all Sadie Hanover winning in a lifetime best of 1:53.2.  Pride N Joy (Tyler Buter) came up to grab second.  Ruth Honig had to settle for third.

Sadie Hanover is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven.  She is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Carmen Iannacone, Bays Stable, Blue Ridge Stable, and Gary Coco.  She is three for three in 2023.  She now has four career victories.

Cecil Hanover (Mark MacDonald) takes the $59,200 first division for colts & geldings

Wild Bill Kelso (Scott Zeron) led to the first quarter in :26.4.  Cecil Hanover ($8.40) took over just before hitting the half first in :55.1.  He continued to lead and was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3.  

Cecil Hanover won the first division for colts & geldings in the NYSS today at Vernon. Fotowon photo.

As they reached the stretch, The Gruffalo (Jordan Stratton) came first-up as Crown (Brian Sears) came three-wide.  The Gruffalo kept coming but Cecil Hanover dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:52.3.  The Gruffalo finished second as Crown took home third Money.

Cecil Hanover is a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven.  He is owned by trainer Ake Svanstedt, Jorgen Sparredal, SRF Stable, and Midnight Sun.  It was his second career victory.

Kierkegaard K (Mark MacDonald) is longshot winner in the $59,200 colts & geldings second division

Kierkegaard K ($39.00) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :26.3.  He used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1.  Tillio’s Action came first-over going around the final turn as Kierkegaard K was first to three-quarters in 1:25.4.

As the reached the stretch the two colts continued to battle.  Kierkegaard K dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:53.0.  Tillio’s Action broke just before the wire and placed third.  Kilmister (Brian Sears) was third but was placed second.

Kierkegaard K is a 3-year-old colt by Chapter Seven.  He is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc. and trained by Ake Svanstedt.  Svanstedt and MacDonald swept the two colts & geldings divisions.  He is one for one this season and now owns two career victories.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (June 2) with a nine-race card starting at 4 p.m.

Jimmy Whittemore and Napoleon won the special mini-horse race.

For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.