Vernon: NY-sired freshmen trotters in action Friday

Vernon Downs will play host to three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Friday (July 9) with a special post time of 12:00 p.m.

Chapheart (Corey Calahan) is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the $33,600 first division of the NYSS. The colt by Chapter Seven-Hip To My Heart is trained by Trond Smedshammer. He was fourth in his only start, which occurred at Yonkers in a leg of NYSS. He used a 29-second last quarter to finish the mile in 1:59 1/5.

Chapheart's top competition appears to be the Linda Toscano-trained Grand Spa (Scott Zeron). The colt by E L Titan-Day At the Spa was second in his NYSS start at Yonkers.

In the $34,000 second division, the 9-5 morning-line choice is the Marcus Melander-trained Distance Learning (Brian Sears). The colt by Chapter Seven-Vintage Oaks is coming off a second-place finish in NYSS action at Yonkers. He'll meet up with Quincy Market (Corey Callahan) and Cool Papa Bell (Jason Bartlett) on Friday. They each won a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers. Quincy Market is a colt by E L Titan-Dance To Market and trained by John Butenschoen. Jim Campbell trains Cool Papa Bell, who is a gelded son of Chapter Seven-Blk Thai Optional.

The 9-5 favorite in $34,200 third division is the Linda Toscano-trained Molotov Cocktail (Scott Zeron). The colt by Chapter Seven finished third at Yonkers in his NYSS start. Secret Rule (Joe Bongiorno), a colt by Chapter Seven-Athena Miss and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, is the 2-1 second choice. He was second best in his NYSS leg at Yonkers.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

-edited release (Vernon)