NYSS Trotters at Vernon

Three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for sophomore colt trotters will compete for total purses of just over $130,000 at Vernon Downs on Saturday night.

 
The first division favorite is the Crazed colt Crazy About Pat, who has been first and second in NYSS races his last two. Noel Daley trains him for Patricia Stable and Cat Manzi is in for the drive.  

EL Rocket is unbeaten in three starts since joining the Ron Burke stable, including an easy 1:55.1 romp in the NYSS at Yonkers. The blood runs blue in this Credit Winner son of Courtney Hall, she the highest priced yearling trotting filly ever sold at auction when she brought a bid of $500,000 in 2003. 

Lightly raced at two, EL Rocket has made steady progress this season and holds Hambletonian hopes for the Burke Stable, M1 Stable, Howard Taylor and Phil Collura. Vernon's top reinsman, Rick Plano has drawn the assignment. 

Tirade Hanover is the oddsmaker's choice in round three. This altered son of Crazed has yet to recover the form he displayed when winning his Empire Breeders Classic elimination last month in 1:53.1 and gets a driver change to Manzi on Saturday. Tyler Raymer trains the career winner of over $200,000 for wife Leigh and her partners, Stephen Moss and H & H Solomon. 

The Sires Stakes are well supported by an undercard that includes five full divisions of Excelsior events. Post time is 6:45 and more info may be gleaned by a visit to the VD website.