Vernon: Barn Holden, Chaptiama strike in NY Sire Stakes

Barn Holden and Chaptiama scored victories in the pair of New York Sire Stakes events for sophomore trotting colts and geldings that took place on Friday afternoon at Vernon Downs.

Driven by Mark MacDonald in the first $55,000 flight, Barn Holden went right to the top from post four and fronted the field through fractions of 27 3/5, 56 4/5, and 1:25 4/5. Race favorite Hobbs (Jason Bartlett) tracked him from the pocket and swung out two-wide after three-quarters, and Sky Castles (Scott Zeron) moved up on the rim from fifth on the last turn, then tipped out three-wide for the drive.

Through the stretch Barn Holden dug in gamely on the lead, and though Hobbs and Sky Castles both surged late, it wasn't enough as Barn Holden held sway to win by a nose in 1:54 2/5. Hobbs just missed and had to settle for second, with Sky Castles third.

A colt by Conway Hall, Barn Holden was bred by Steven and Nancy Pratt and is also co-owned by them along with their partners Purple Haze Stables LLC. and Out In The Country Stable. Steven Pratt also trains the winner, who now has a record of 7-4-5 from 18 career appearances and has banked $224,028. A 2-1 shot, he paid $6.10 to win.

In the other $56,000 division, heavily-favored Third Shift (Ake Svanstedt) dashed to the top from post four and cut an opening quarter in 28 3/5 and a half in 57 2/5. Third Shift was still leading going to the 1:26 1/5 three-quarters but made a break, and pocket-sitter Berkery J (Scott Zeron) also went off-stride while trying to get around him. With Sir Cromwell (Jason Bartlett) also on the run near the back of the pack, only new leader Beerthirty K (Tyler Buter), Chaptiama (Trond Smedshammer), and Altus Hanover (John MacDonald) were left to decide things.

Chaptiama, who had been sixth and last when all the breaking started happening, advanced quickly two-wide to join Beerthirty K turning for home, and those two would slug it out to the wire. Beerthirty K was tough on the inside at 31-1, but Chaptiama had the better kick, scoring by a quarter of a length in 1:55 2/5. Third Shift came back on to get third ahead of Altus Hanover, but Third Shift was placed fifth for causing interference to multiple horses while galloping.

Purple Haze Stables LLC. bred and also owns Chaptiama, a Chapter Seven gelding. Also trained by Smedshammer, Chaptiama picked up his sixth triumph from 15 lifetime starts, and he pushed his earnings to $335,255. The 4-1 third choice, Chaptiama returned $10.80 to win.