by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media

Vernon, NY — An explosive :53.2 final half-mile was more than enough for Travel Playlist ($4.40) to take top billing among 16 other 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings in Monday (Sept. 7) afternoon’s New York Sire Stakes at Vernon Downs.

Fotowon photo

Travel Playlist established a new track record for 2-year-old pacing colts in his 1:49.2 New York Sire Stakes victory.

Travel Playlist was unhurried early in the $55,500 first division, moving off the pegs from fifth at race’s midpoint to chase Talk Show (John Campbell) after a :54.2 initial half-mile.

The son of Art Major and Village Madonna steadily progressed through the far turn, taking second from a tiring Fine Diamond (Tyler Buter) through a :27.2 third quarter before subsequently mowing down Talk Show in upper stretch.

By way of a :26.4 final quarter, Travel Playlist turned in a decisive 1:49.2 victory, taking three-fifths of a second off the track record for 2-year-old pacing colts formerly held by He’s Watching. Joe Larry N Curly (Jim Morrill Jr.) rallied late to take second, 3-1/4 lengths in arrears, while Talk Show checked in third.

Marcus Miller drove Travel Playlist for owner Ronald Michelon and trainer Erv Miller.

In the $56,500 second division, another son of Art Major prevailed. Autotune Hanover ($6.80) floated into midfield from a post nine dispatch, slid second-over on the far turn to track the cover of Red Roll (John Campbell), kicking off stalled cover at head-stretch before pushing clear of a rapidly fading Skip Jive (Wally Hennessey).

Autotune Hanover, by Art Major and out of Anderosa Hanover, kicked forward immediately when Tyler Buter moved him off cover, ultimately staving off the third-over Endeavor (Patrick Lachance) to win in 1:51.2.

Trainer Mark Harder co-owns Autotune Hanover with Rick Phillips, Deena Frost, and Peter Venturini.

Live racing at Vernon Downs shifts to a schedule of Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings for the remainder of September and the entirety of October. Post time is 6:45 p.m. (EDT).