Driver Jason Bartlett is in the midst of what likely will be his best year ever. The perennial leading driver at MGM Yonkers Raceway has managed to hold down that position while extending his reach across the country, as well as a few trips to Canada this year. On Saturday he'll look to add to his own record-setting numbers in four divisional finals of the inaugural Big Apple series of races at Vernon Downs. With $1 million split in four divisions for 2-year-olds of both gaits and sexes, The Big Apple not only offers owners of New York-sired horses more money to race for but gives New York's leading driver an opportunity to get a lion's share of the purse money. Bartlett figures to get off to a flying start if Fragment (post six) – in Saturday's seventh race and $250,000 Big Apple Pace final for colts and geldings on the pace - lives up to the kind of form he's displayed all season long. A winner in seven of his 11 starts this year, including the $300,000 New York Sire Stakes final at Batavia last month, Fragment, the 3-2 morning line choice for Saturday, easily romped in his elimination and should be a prohibitive favorite at post time. "I was looking to give him an easy trip while still trying to get the job done," said Bartlett of his drive in last Saturday's (October 4) elimination race. "I knew there were just three horses he had to pass and was capable of a 26-second final quarter." A son of Huntsville trained by Per Engblom, Fragment would go over the $500,000 mark this year with a win in the Big Apple. "He comes out of each race sound and strong," said Bartlett about the durability of Fragment, a horse he believes has the talent to compete outside the New York program. "He drew outside in the Metro and never had a chance. I think if he had a better post we could have gotten money." Fragment is an $80,000 yearling purchase from last year's Harrisburg sale with a solid pedigree. His dam The Show Returns was a successful full sister to the champion Put On A Show. ►Visit our Big Apple finals page for FREE PPs, Live Video and Video Analysis of the four $250,000 races! Bartlett has gotten a few opportunities this year to drive horses from top trotting conditioner Marcus Melander, and he'll have a pair in the two $250,000 Big Apple Trot finals. First will be Spencer Hanover (post six) in the eighth race division for colts and geldings. "They put the hopples on him last week and that gave him more confidence," said Bartlett. "He'd been making breaks and was good getting out of the gate last week." Spencer Hanover finished second in his Big Apple elimination, but the driver thinks much of that had to do with the racing circumstances. "I don't think he knew what to do racing on the front-end," said Bartlett, "When a horse came up to him, he was fighting back." Though winless in nine starts this year, the elimination performance makes Spencer Hanover, the 5-1 co-third choice in the race, a contender in this well-matched field. AI, the New York Sire Stakes champion, drew post nine for trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras but still can overcome. A son of Chapter Seven, AI (5-1) has won half of his 10 starts this year. Twin B Seven Sins is another in the field with talent and he stepped up in a major way, capturing his elimination in a career-best 1:55 4/5 clocking. With four wins in eight starts as a freshman, Twin B Seven Sins (post five, 9-2) looks to continue his winning form for driver Tyler Buter. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter The morning-line chalk is Titans Mischief from post two with Matt Kakaley in the bike. The son of E L Titan has been a model of consistency, having finished first or second in all 10 starts in 2025. Bartlett appeared more excited about the prospects of Nezuko Kamado S, his mount in the Big Apple Trot for 2-year-old fillies (race 10). Given the rapid advancement this daughter of Chapter Seven has shown once wearing hopples, it's easy to understand why. "I watched her win the race at Hoosier Park (Kentucky Management) and saw how good she was," said Bartlett of the 1:52 4/5 career-best clocking. In his elimination last week Bartlett didn't try to set any records, winning comfortably in a 1:55 mile. "She was very relaxed on the front-end," said Bartlett. "Every time I called on her, she responded right away and then I took a hold of her. She's a really nice filly." Nezuko Kamado S (7-5) drew post two in the final but clearly won't be alone, with a few high-quality horses ready to challenge. Sire Stakes champion Sharp Seven regains Jeff Gregory in the bike following a fourth-place finish in last week's trials. A daughter of Chapter Seven trained by George Ducharme, Sharp Seven (3-1) drew post five and looks to add to her $370K bankroll in the Big Apple. Bartlett guided Liberty Style to victory in this year's New York Sire Stakes championship final but admits the daughter of American Ideal can be a handful to drive. "I was having trouble steering her going into the first turn," said Bartlett of his drive in last week's elimination race where he was forced to take back despite leaving the gate hard. "Andrew (Stafford) has been working with her equipment, and it seems every time you try something she acts differently," said Bartlett. Liberty Style, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, has won five of nine starts this year and drew post six for the Big Apple Pace final for fillies (race nine). Despite the problems Bartlett has had in guiding Liberty Style, the filly has overcome issues and shown the ability to win from on- or off-the-pace, a clear benefit to him in a race that has more than enough fillies with high speed. Odds On Monetary (post 7, 7-1) has been one of those fast fillies all season long for trainer Travis Alexander but has made miscues at the wrong time, including one in the $300,000 New York Sire Stakes championship final at Batavia on September 6. A filly by Huntsville, Odds On Monetary was a handy 1:51 4/5 winner for driver Ridge Warren in her elimination. Long Shore (post two, 7-2) is another filly that has made breaks while at the same time exhibited plenty of talent. Now a winner in six of her eight career starts, Long Shore, a daughter of American Ideal, took a 1:51 2/5 mark in her elimination victory with Bartlett aboard. Yannick Gingras will pick up the drive in the final. Though drawing post eight, Hunting Memories (9-2) must be considered a major factor as the daughter of Huntsville has rapidly advanced on the others despite making her first career start just in the last month. Hunting Memories made her first start against stakes company in last week's elimination race and showed heart to the wire, beaten just a head in the 1:51 2/5 mile. The 15-race Saturday Vernon Downs card kicks off at 5:05 P.M. (EDT),