Vernon: Devious Man victorious in fastest of three New York Sire Stakes divisions

The New York Sire Stakes season for 3-year-old colt trotters began with three divisions on Monday afternoon at Vernon Downs, and defending champion Devious Man began his defense of that title with a 1:53 3/5 victory.

Driven by co-owner Andy Miller in the second $39,900 section2, Devious Man sat third while Such An Angel (Brian Sears) led through opening-half fractions of 26 and 55 3/5. Miller then gave his charge his cue first-over on the far turn, and he would get to within a length of Such An Angel at the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters.

In the lane Devious Man trotted past Such An Angel to claim the lead, but Dexter Cup winner Lord Cromwell (Jason Bartlett), who had followed from second-over, began to rally at him. Devious Man would not yield, though, winning by half a length. Aces And Eights (Dan Daley) finished third.

Julie Miller trains Devious Man, a Credit Winner colt. Stroy Inc. also shares ownership of the winner, who is now an eight-time winner from 13 lifetime starts and an earner of $328,183. Devious Man, who had qualified twice at the Meadowlands in preparation for this start, was sent off at 3-5 and paid $3.20 to win.

While he didn't win that event, Brian Sears would enjoy a successful sojourn to his old stomping grounds by winning the other two New York Sire Stakes flights.

Back in the $39,200 opener, Sears guided Stick With Me Kid to a 1:54 victory after they were unchallenged through stations of 26 4/5, 57, and 1:25 3/5. He would down a closing Bill's Man (Corey Callahan), who was the even-money favorite, by one length, with Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller) back in third.

Stick With Me Kid is a Deweycheatumnhowe colt trained by George Ducharme for the ownership group of Paul Fontaine, Ashlee Allyn, and Donna Bonno. Stick With Me Kid, who was the runner-up to Devious Man in the New York Sire Stakes final last year, now has four career victories and sits with a bankroll of $178,276. Stick With Me Kid was dispatched at 5-2 and returned $7.00 to win.

The final $39,900 section saw Enterprise and Sears in front at the 26 2/5 opening panel, but Money Macintosh (Andy Miller) would take charge past that marker and go on to hit the half in 55 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:25 2/5. When a first-over Cresurrey (Trond Smedshammer) faded turning for home, Sears had room to angle out with Enterprise, and once shown the clear air he hustled back into first. Swell Chap (Callahan) rallied on through the stretch as well, but his try fell three-parts of a length short to Enterprise in a 1:53 4/5 mile. Meetmeinthemiddle (Bartlett) came in third.

Marcus Melander trains Enterprise, a Chapter Seven colt, for owner Courant Inc. Enterprise has won in all four of his lifetime attempts, and he has now put away $37,450. The 2-5 public choice, Enterprise paid $2.90 to win.