Vernon: Gimpanzee remains undefeated after NYSS score

Gimpanzee (Brian Sears) won the first of two divisions of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshman trotting colts & geldings at Vernon Downs on Thursday (August 30) for a purse of $53,500.

Chapter Fashion (Jason Bartlett) charged to the front and hit the first quarter in 27 4/5 with Gimpanzee ($2.10) following in the pocket. Trained by Marcus Melander for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable, Gimpanzee would take over just before getting to the half first in 57 and cruise into three-quarters in 1:25 4/5. Chapter Fashion would stay close in second, but as they hit the stretch Gimpanzee found another gear and recorded a lifetime best mark to win in 1:54 3/5.

Chapter Fashion was easily second best. Our White Knight (Jim Morrill Jr.) came up to finish third.

Gimpanzee is a colt by Chapter Seven-Steamy Windows. He is a perfect five for five in his career.

Thunder took the second division ($54,500) of the NYSS for trotting colts & geldings.

Driven by Jason Bartlett, Thunder ($6.30) went right to the front but Brady Bunch (Andy Miller) went first-over and took the lead before hitting the first quarter in 27 4/5. Thunder, who is trained by John Butenschoen for owners Crawford Farms Racing , Jeremy Day, and VIP Internet Stable LLC., re-claimed the lead and led them to a half of 57 4/5. He would lead them to three-quarters in 1:27 1/5 as Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) came up to challenge around the last turn, but Thunder was too strong and flew home in the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:55 4/5.

Chip Chip Conway would settle for second with Brady Bunch earning third money.

Thunder is a colt by Conway Hall-Cr Oh Suzanna. It was his third win in six lifetime starts.

Vernon downs returns to live racing on Friday (August 31) for a 10 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

-edited release (Vernon Downs)