Vernon: Unbeaten American Courage headlines NYSS card

Vernon Downs welcomes two divisions of the New York Sire stakes (NYSS) for freshmen pacing colts & geldings on Friday (August 28).

In the $51,300 first division, all eyes will be on the unbeaten American Courage (Matt Kakaley). The colt by American Ideal-Nota Fool Bluechip is trained by Travis Alexander. So far he has been phenomenal with seven wins in seven starts. He has won four legs of the NYSS plus a big win in the $104,250 MGM Springfield Stakes Final (Yonkers Raceway).

The David Dziengiel trained Sauvignon Bluechip (Tyler Buter) should be his toughest rival. The colt by Art Major-Some Girls Do picked up a NYSS victory at Yonkers in his last start. He has finished second to American Courage on two occasions.

I'll Drink To That (Dexter Dunn) is the top choice in the $50,400 second division. The colt by American Ideal-Margarita Monday lost by just a half-length to American Courage in his last start. Trained by Chris Ryder, he picked up a NYSS win at Tioga Downs for his only lifetime victory in four lifetime starts.

King James Express (Jason Bartlett) and Carrythetorchman (Marcus Miller) should be major contenders. King James Express (Art Major-More Diamonds) is trained by Mark Harder. The gelding has a NYSS win at Saratoga for his lone career victory. The Erv Miller-trained Carrythetorchman is a colt by American Ideal-Kattimon who has two wins in six career starts.

The 15-race card starts at 3 p.m.

-edited release (Vernon)