Vernon: Geldings by Huntsville triumph in Friday's NYSS races

Blue Hunt and Duval Street posted wins in the two New York Sire Stakes flights for rookie pacing colts and geldings on Friday evening at Vernon Downs.

Racing in the first $52,500 grouping, Blue Hunt (Wally Hennessey) drove on two-wide on the first turn and took the lead away from Hurrikane Hunter (Jason Bartlett) after the 26 4/5 opening quarter. From there, Blue Hunt hit the half in 55 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:24 3/5, and a 27 3/5 final quarter sealed a one length victory in 1:52 1/5. Thunder Hunter Joe (Austin Siegelman) was a game second after doing the first-over work, and Livonjaxandqueens (Drew Monti) rallied from sixth at three-quarters to third at the wire.

A Huntsville-All On Top Hanover gelding bred by Crawford Farms, Blue Hunt is co-owned by trainer Erica Chartrand in partnership with United Process Control Co. Blue Hunt, a $40,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale buy, has a record of 3-1-0 from six starts, has now earned $86,670, and paid $4.20 to win as the slight favorite over Thunder Hunter Joe.

In the other $53,500 division, Huntinthelastdolar (Billy Davis Jr.) chopped out the 26 3/5 quarter, then yielded to Kid From The Bronx (Mark MacDonald), who clicked off middle-half stations of 56 and 1:25 1/5. Bandito Joe (Austin Siegelman) advanced uncovered into second at three-quarters, followed by a second-over Duval Street (Brian Sears).

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Sears sent Duval Street three-wide before they turned for home, and Duval Street quickly took command in the upper part of the stretch. From there, Duval Street had to fend off a gaining Huntinthelastdolar, which he was able to do by half a length in 1:53 1/5. Goldin Greatness (Patrick Ryder) took a shuffle on the inside on the final bend and wound up third.

Duval Street, trained by Nifty Norman, is a Huntsville-Native Bride gelding bred by Sundance Stable LLC. and Jay Sears and now owned by Sundance Stable LLC. and Kim Sears. Duval Street posted his second victory in his third attempt, and he pushed his bankroll to $56,054. He returned $17.80 to win as a 7-1 offering.