Vernon: Fast Choice prevails again in New York Sire Stakes

Fast Choice won out in a battle of unbeaten 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday night at Vernon Downs, handing Thirsty Thursday his first defeat while improving to four-for-four lifetime thanks to a 1:50 3/5 decision in a $110,100 New York Sire Stakes clash.

Silent Weapon (Tyler Buter) led his eight foes at the 26 4/5 quarter, but Thirsty Thursday (Matt Kakaley) pressed on two-wide and took the top spot away from him after that marker. Fast Choice (Doug McNair) then came to call on the rim, and after making him work, Thirsty Thursday released him to sit in the pocket nearing the 54 second half-mile marker.

McNair was able to rate his charge around the last turn to get to three-quarters in 1:23 2/5, and that set the stage for a sprint to the wire. Kakaley angled Thirsty Thursday to the outside off the pylons and did have pace, but not enough to reach Fast Choice, whose 27 1/5 kicker propelled him to a one length triumph. Thirsty Thursday had to settle for second and Holt Hanover (Ray Schnittker) collected third.

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A Courtly Choice gelding trained by Jared Bako for owners Ashley Bako and Randy Zane, Fast Choice was bred by Winbak Farm. He has pocketed $158,600 to go with his unblemished status and returned $6.90 to win as the 2-1 second choice.