Vernon: Atlanta cruises to NYSS victory

Atlanta (Scott Zeron) won the second of two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore trotting fillies at Vernon Downs on Thursday (July 19) as the questions begin to swirl whether she will head to the $1,000,000 Hambletonian or $500,000 Oaks on August 4 at The Meadowlands.

Repentance (Jim Morrill Jr.) was first to the quarter in 27 while Atlanta ($2.10), who is trained by Rick Zeron, floated away from the gate and rushed to the front just after the quarter. Driver Scott Zeron would control the race the rest of the way (57, 1:26 4/5, 1:53 4/5) with Atlanta as she cruised home a much the best winner in the $61,300 Sire Stakes division.

Lucky Ava (Ake Svanstedt) tracked from the pocket and was second best with Repentance getting third money.

Atlanta is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven and is owned by the team of Rick Zeron, Crawford Farms, Howard Taylor, Holland Racing Stable and Bradley Grant. She is now five-for-five this season and nine for 14 in her career.

Unless her connections make an official announcement in the coming days about her next start, the world will find out early next week when Atlanta will need to enter for the Hambletonian Oaks. Eliminations for the trotting classic are scheduled for July 28.

Lima Novelty (Scott Zeron) held off Ciao Dolce (Ake Svanstedt) to win the NYSS first division ($60,200).

Ciao Dolce led to a first quarter in 27 3/5 before Lima Novelty ($3.00) went first-over from fourth and brushed by to take the lead before hitting the half in 57. She continued to lead, hitting three-quarters in 1:26 1/5. Ciao Dolce followed in the pocket until mid stretch and would go first over and battle down the rest of the stretch, but Lima Novelty dug in and held on to win in 1:54 1/5.

Ciao Dolce settled for second while Tribute To Seven (Matt Kakaley) fired late to finish third.

Lima Novelty is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. Owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, she won for the fourth time this season and the eighth time in her career.

Scott Zeron won three on the night as he added a win with The Russian Spy ($4.40). Matt Kakaley visited the winner's circle three times on the night as well. He got his wins with Talkoholic ($48.00), Byway ($10.20) and White Cheetah ($5.90).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (July 20) with an 11 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

-edited release (Vernon Downs)