Vernon: Joviality S and Valentina Blu lead NYSS trotters into Vernon Downs

Vernon Downs will host two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore trotting fillies on Memorial Day (May 30).

Valentina Blu (Andrew McCarthy) is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $60,300 first division. The 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven surged late to capture her first start of the 2022 season in a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway. She is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by Tony Alagna. As a freshman she had a win, six seconds and two thirds. The filly has won over $360,000 in her career.

Bare My Soul (Tyler Buter) could be her toughest challenger. The Linda Toscano trained filly by Chapter Seven lost to Valentina Blu by a neck when they raced at Yonkers in the first leg of the NYSS.

Joviality S (Brian Sears) will be a huge favorite in the $60,300 second division. Trained by Marcus Melander for owner Courant Inc., the 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven is arguably the top sophomore filly in the country. After an extraordinary freshman campaign which saw her win nine times in 12 starts including a Breeders Crown victory, the filly went gate-to-wire in her first start as a 3-year-old. That win came in the first leg of the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway. She has already earned over $920,000 in her career.

La Vie En Blanc (Mike Simons) comes to town one for one as a 3-year-old with a NYSS win at Yonkers. The Tony Alagna trained filly by Chapter Seven goes for career win number three.

The 11-race card starts at 12:15 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com

-edited release (Vernon)