Vernon: Harder pupils sweep in NY Sire Stakes action

Trainer Mark Harder won both New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings that took place on Friday afternoon at Vernon Downs, converting with Southwind Petyr and King James Express.

The landscape of the first $51,300 grouping changed before the start when undefeated American Courage came up sick and had to be scratched. With the likely favorite out of the race, Sauvignon Bluechip (Tyler Buter) was sent off as the public choice, and he would move to the lead around Southwind Petyr (Dexter Dunn) before the 56 2/5 half. Sauvignon Bluechip continued on the front-end to three-quarters in 1:25 1/5, with Major Makover (Mark MacDonald) moving up into contention from first-over.

In the stretch Sauvignon Bluechip and Major Makover were locked in battle as Dunn switched outside and inside looking for room with Southwind Petyr. He finally found a gap on the rail inside the final sixteenth, and once Southwind Petyr had room he shot through, going on to prevail by a length and three-quarters in 1:52 4/5. Major Makover was a game second, and Sauvignon Bluechip wound up third.

Harder also co-owns Southwind Petyr, a colt by American Ideal, with partner Rick Phillips. This was Southwind Petyr's first win in his second appearance, and he has now earned $26,802. Bred by Southwind Farms LLC., Southwind Petyr was purchased for $65,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is the second foal out of Sportswriter mare Southwind Paris, making him a full brother to Cake Daddy, who was two-for-two in the New York Sire Stakes as a 2-year-old in 2019 with a mark of 1:53 4/5. Southwind Petyr was the second choice and paid $5.10 to win.

Make My Deo and Buter shot out to the top before the 27 second opening quarter in the second $50,400 flight, then yielded to sit in the pocket behind I'll Drink To That (Dunn) beyond the 55 1/5 half. After taking over, I'll Drink To That got separation on the rest of the group heading to the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters, with King James Express (Jason Bartlett) going first-over just prior to that point.

I'll Drink To That was clear turning for home, but he began to come under urging in the lane, and King James Express pounced, rallying past the leader en route to the win by three-parts of a length in 1:52. I'll Drink To That did hold second, with Stop Staring (MacDonald) back in third.

King James Express, a gelding by Art Major, is co-owned by Harder in partnership with Deena Frost, Wayne Carleton, and Dean Lockhart. King James Express, who was bred by Gregory Dey and fetched $20,000 at the 2019 Standardbred Horse Sale, has a record of 2-0-1 from six efforts, and he has pocketed $60,681. King James Express is the fifth foal out of the Dragon Again mare More Diamonds (1:53 3/5, $66,844), a half-sister to the likes of Diamond Stick Pin (Bettor's Delight, 1:49 3/5, $557,102). King James Express was a 4-1 shot and returned $10.60 to win.