Vernon: American Rebel, Freedom Warrior capture NY Sire Stakes tilts

There were a pair of New York Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on the undercard of the Zweig Memorials tonight at Vernon Downs, and American Rebel and Freedom Warrior would score the victories.

Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) led at the 27 2/5 opening quarter in the first $53,000 division, but Cigars And Port (Tim Tetrick) popped out of the pocket and took the lead going to the 56 4/5 half. American Rebel (Tyler Buter) watched that action from third, and he would make a first-over move past the half that carried him to within a length of Cigars And Port as three-quarters flashed on the board in 1:26 2/5.

In the lane Cigars And Port clung to the lead as he was challenged on both sides by American Rebel and Major Betts, but American Rebel forged his way by in the last sixteenth to win by half a length in 1:53 4/5. Major Betts got up for second on the inside, and Cigars And Port had to settle for third.

Patti Harmon trains American Rebel, an American Ideal-Restive Hanover (The Panderosa) colt, for owners Harmon Racing Stable LLC. and Robert Robinson. American Rebel, who was bred by Winbak Farm and sold for $6,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has won half of his eight starts, and he has pocketed $114,047. He was sent off at 5-2 and paid $7.90 to win.

The second $54,000 grouping saw Teton Sunset (Buter) in charge at the 27 second first quarter, but he would be passed by Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley), who would then be overtaken by Splash Brother (Tetrick) past the 56 4/5 half. Freedom Warrior (David Miller) was left first-over when Splash Brother cleared, but he gained around the far turn and to the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters, then took over command in the lane. Once he struck the front, Freedom Warrior kicked on, winning the race by a length and a half in 1:52 3/5. Groovy Joe wound up second, with Hurrikanekingjames (Yannick Gingras) up for third after taking a shuffle.

Freedom Warrior is an American Ideal-Chief Karen (Camluck) colt trained by Kevin Lare for owner Forrest Bartlett. Bred by Curran Racing LLC., Adam Michael, and Heidi Rohr, Freedom Warrior now sports a record of 2-1-2 from six starts, and he has banked $82,623. Freedom Warrior was dispatched at 2-1 and returned $6.10 to win.