Driver Brian Sears and trainer Marcus Melander combined for four wins including two New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) races as Vernon Downs played host to New York Sire Stakes action for two-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Friday afternoon (July 22).
Kilmister prevailed in the $35,900 first division for Sears & Melander. The Strawboss (Jim Devaux) got the first call but Some Kinda Crazy (Tyler Buter) spurted by just before hitting the first quarter in :28. He used a :30.1 second quarter, first to the half in :58.1.
Kilmister ($4.80) made his move heading around the final turn. Some Kinda Crazy was first to three-quarters in 1:27.4, but as they made the turn for home Kilmister took over. The Strawboss became the major danger but Kilmister was too strong and won in a lifetime best of 1:56.1. The Strawboss had to settle for second, with Cecil Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) in third.
Now two-for-two on the season, Kilmister is a colt by Chapter Seven-Treviso and he's owned by Courant Inc. The son of Chapter Seven - Treviso was a $170,000 Lexington yearling.
Also staying unbeaten in two appearances, The Gruffalo (Tyler Buter) was the best in the $36,600 second division. Kilgore S (Sears) led to the first quarter in :27.4. Country Dagger (Melvin Schmucker) made the first move going first-over to challenge. Kilgore S was first to the half in :57.3, and those two kept battling as Kilgore S led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they made the turn for home The Gruffalo ($4.00) came charging three-wide and took over the lead. Second-place finisher Upnaway Blue Chip (Wally Hennessey) went all out on the chase but The Gruffalo dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:56.4. Kierkegaard K (Ake Svanstedt) finished third.
The Gruffalo is a colt by Chapter Seven - Clementine. He is owned by Racing Team of America, Deena Frost, Emma Pettersson and trainer Mark Harder.
Crown saved the best for last, winning the $36,600 third division with the fastest time of the stakes contested.
Sevecheetah (Trond Smedshammer) led to the first quarter in :27.4. Night Star (Devaux) took a short lead heading to the backstretch. Seven Over (Tyler Buter) took control just before hitting the half first in :57. Met Your Request (Andy Miller) was next to make a move going first-over as Seven Over led to three-quarters in 1:26.2.
As they reached the stretch Met Your Request went on a break. Crown ($2.70) came flying to take the lead. Wild Bill Kelso (Wally Hennessey) used a late move to make it interesting but Crown had the jump and the win in a lifetime best of 1:55.3. Wild Bill Kelso and Barney Goldstein (Brett Crawford) rounded out the top trio.
Unbeaten in two appearances, Crown is a colt by Chapter Seven-Amour Heiress, making him a half brother to accomplished Muscle Hill-sired trio of Spy Booth, King Alphonso and Periculum. He is owned by S R F stable and trained by Marcus Melander.
Sears and Melander got their other wins in the Excelsior A series with Kaleun ($3.00), and You Got It ($3.90).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (July 23). Post time for the 12-race card is 6:05 p.m.
(Vernon)