by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Four divisions of New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies take center stage at Vernon Downs on Friday night (July 7).

The first $27,750 NYSS race looks like it could be a good duel between two very sharp horses coming out of recent Meadowlands races. The morning line favorite at 5-2 is Hurrikane Shorty (Art Major-Speed Date) who is coming off a huge performance on June 30, winning by three lengths in 1:52.3. Hurrikane Shorty is owned by Little E LLC, Jason Settlemoir, Arthur Geiger and David Stolz. She is trained by Kevin McDermott and driven by Jim Marohn Jr.

Her main rival at 7-2 is All On Top Hanover (Betterthancheddar– Allamerican Apex). She put up a huge effort versus the highly regarded Rainbow Room, a 2-year-old by champions Somebeachsomewhere and Rainbow Blue, June 23. All On Top Hanover, who is owned by Crawford Farms, Erv Miller Stable, Ron Michelon and George Golemes and is trained by Erv Miller, was fourth at the three-quarter mark and came flying home in :25.3 to fall short of Rainbow Room by 1-1/4 lengths.

The second $28,250 NYSS race features Dance Blue (Rock N Roll Heaven-Tessa Hanover), who is owned by Marvin Katz, Sam Goldband, and Goran Anderberg while trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Mark MacDonald. She was second to Hurrikane Shorty at the Meadowlands and is the morning line favorite at 5-2.

The second choice at 7-2 is Azreal As It Gets (So Surreal-Vanite Semalu), who is owned by Our Horse Cents Stables and Stable 45. Azreal As It Gets is trained by Ake Svanstedt and driven by Jim Marohn Jr.

The third $27,750 NYSS race will feature Line Dancer (Art Major-Burning Beaches) who is the morning line favorite at 5-2. Owned by Frank Chick and trained by Kevin Lare the 2-year-old put down two decent races at Pocono. Line Dancer is piloted by Brett Miller.

The second choice is Solitary (American Ideal-Lonesome Day) who is trained by Ross Croghan and driven by Jim Marohn Jr. Solitary, who is owned by Let It Ride Stables and Dana Parham, is at 7-2.

In the $28,250 fourth division the joint entry of Betterthangraduate (Betterthancheddar-Western Graduate) and Youaremycandygirl (American Ideal-Sweet Lady) are at 5-2. Both fillies are trained by Ron Burke.

Betterthangraduate is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Silva Purnel & Libby, Phil Collura and Weaver Bruscemi and will have driver Jim Morrill Jr. She fell just short in her one start at Pocono. Youaremycandygirl is owned by Bill Donovan and driven by Matt Kakaley. She has had two very good qualifiers.

Their main competition looks to be the 7-2 morning line second choice of Silk Reed (Rock N Roll Heaven-Fantasy Jet). She is owned by Stephen Schneider, William Siegel, and Jay Lieberman while trained by Jean Drolet. She was a winner in her debut at Pocono. Tyler Buter holds the reins for the 2-year-old Silk Reed.

Post time for the 10-race card at Vernon Downs (July 7) is 6:45 p.m. For more information please go to www.vernondowns.com.