Vernon: Hunt Off The Press garners headlines in New York Sire Stakes

Hunt Off The Press posted his third consecutive win in the New York Sire Stakes program after he took Saturday evening's $112,100 dash for 2-year-old male pacers at Vernon Downs in 1:52 1/5.

With Tyler Buter in the bike, Hunt Off The Press landed in the pocket behind Fragment (Mark Herschberger), as that foe cut opening-half fractions of 25 4/5 and 55 seconds. Fragment was still on top at three-quarters in 1:23 1/5 as well, but Quickaway (Braxten Boyd), who came first-over out of fourth on the far turn, had advanced to put pressure on Fragment at that point.

Quickaway sustained his bid to go by Fragment in the upper part of the stretch, but Hunt Off The Press was able to find a seam to the inside of a tiring Fragment, and Hunt Off The Press out-footed a game Quickaway to the finish line, prevailing by a length. Knoxville (Mark MacDonald) got up for third.

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A Huntsville gelding bred by James Crawford IV, Hunt Off The Press is trained by Jared Bako for owner Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. Hunt Off The Press now has four wins and two seconds from six career starts, has earned $204,400 and paid $4.20 to win as the favorite.