Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs played host to four divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing colts and geldings on a special Father’s Day Sunday matinee (June 19) and driver Jordan Stratton won three of the races.

Bounty Hunter was one of three NYSS wins for driver Jordan Stratton. Fotowon photo.

Bounty Hunter (Stratton) won the $30,550 first division. Bounty Hunter ($12.60) led to the first quarter in :27. JD (Mark MacDonald) then took over heading to the top of the backstretch and was first to the half in :56. Twin B Deluxe (Jason Bartlett) came first-up going around the far turn and took a slight lead before hitting three-quarters in 1:24.

As they headed to the stretch JD reclaimed a short lead but Bounty Hunter came powering out of the pocket and went on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:52.2. JD had to settle for second and American Classic (Andy Miller) finished third.

Bounty Hunter is a 3-year-old gelding by Huntsville. He is owned by Royal Wire Products and trained by Robert Cleary. He now has two lifetime wins.

All About The Hunt (David Miller) captured the $29,950 second division. Hazeville (MacDonald) took the lead to the quarter in :26.4. All About The Hunt ($3.80) took over control as they headed for the half and was there first in :55.3. Gone Before Dawn (Marcus Miller) came first-up and put on the pressure as All About The Hunt was first to three-quarters in 1:23.2.

As they made the turn for home All About The Hunt shook off Gone Before Dawn and breezed down the stretch to get his first career victory in 1:51.4. Hazeville was second and Huntanover (Tyler Buter) was third.

All About The Hunt is a 3-year-old colt by Huntsville. He is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and Heather Marshall while trained by Ron Burke.

River Ness (Stratton) took the $29,950 third division. River Ness ($14.80) was first to the quarter in :27.3. Pleaseletmeknow (Matt Kakaley) took over the lead going down the backstretch and was first to the half in :55.4. Early Action (David Miller) came first-over around the final turn as Pleaseletmeknow led to the three-quarters in 1:24.

As they reached the stretch River Ness popped out of the pocket and the race was on. Second place finisher Pleaseletmeknow held firm but River Ness used one final burst to win in 1:52.1. Early Action held on to finish third.

River Ness is a 3-year-old gelding by Huntsville. He is trained by Burke  for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnell & Libby and Frank Baldachino. It was his second win this year and he now has three career victories.

Seven Hundred (Stratton) charged late to win the $30,550 fourth division. Hurrikane Chuck (MacDonald) led the way to the first quarter in :27. Kingsville (Bartlett) then took over and led to the half in :56. Blue Collar Man (Dan Daley) was first to make a move going first-over, as Kingsville had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:23.4.

As they made the turn for home it looked like a mad scramble. Seven Hundred ($16.20) slipped through on the inside while Top Genius (Buter) went four-wide and Stretch The Line (Marcus Miller) came five-wide. In deep stretch it became a two-horse race as Seven Hundred held off Top Genius to win in 1:52.3. Stretch The Line got third.

Seven Hundred is a 3-year-old colt by Huntsville. He is owned by Rick Berks and trained by Bruce Clarke. It was his second win of the season and he now has four career victories.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (June 24) with a post time of 6:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.