A Look at Three-Year-Old Pacing and Trotting Colts Competing for the NYSS Night of Champions

ALBANY, NY (08/31/2009)(readMedia)-- As the $16 million New York Sire Stakes season nears its end and the exciting $1.4 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions draws ever closer, many top horses are vying for a post in the NYSS finals.

This article profiles three-year-old pacing and trotting colts who are poised to be contenders for the NYSS Night of Champions at Vernon Downs on September 26. Some of these athletes have experienced previous Night of Champions racing, while others have yet to reach the finals.

"We are proud of all of our New York-breds and wish luck to all of the Night of Champions contenders," said Peter Goold, executive director of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, which administers the New York Sire Stakes. "Year after year, owners and breeders choose the New York Sire Stakes over stakes programs in other states because the New York program offers more lucrative purses, has more racing opportunities, and has superior horses. These facts are backed up by the 2008 yearling sales, including Morrisville College Sale where the average NY-bred price was 17% higher than in 2007 and at the 2008 Harrisburg Sale where NY-breds sold at a 30% premium over those from other states."

Three-Year-Old Pacing Colts

Handsome Harry by Dream Away boasts a notable $105,772 in NYSS earnings so far this year. He raced in the NYSS Late Closers division last year and has earned his way to the "big leagues" this year. A testament to his remarkable progress, Handsome Harry won in 1:52:1 at this year's New York State Fair Stakes at Tioga Downs on August 14th, posting the fastest mile of the evening. He is owned and bred by Ralph Del Priore Jr. from Memphis, NY and Harry Doyle from Matawan, NJ. Trained by Mark Ford of Slate Hill, NY, he had just three pari-mutual starts last year, but is having a stellar NYSS season this year with four wins in four starts.

Keep your eye on Space Hill by Space Shuttle, who has 2009 NYSS earnings of $80,015 with three wins and one second in four starts. A contender in the 2008 Night of Champions, Space Hill finished fourth and appears to be on his way to the finals again this year. Owned by Burke Racing Stable (Frederictown, PA), Weaver Bruscemi LLC (Canonsburg PA), Joshua Demond Hill (Utica, MS), and Edna Collins (Carthage MS), he's improved over his 2008 NYSS season, topping his earnings by $5,000. He was bred by Morrisville College Foundation, Inc, (Morrisville, NY).

OK Braveheart by Bettor's Delight, lays claim to NYSS earnings of $92,911 for the 2009 season with three wins and a second in four starts. This is his first NYSS racing season, but he's nonetheless primed to be a competitive participant in the 2009 Night of Champions. He's owned by David Scharf from NY, NY, Rick Phillips from Tappan, NY, and Chuck Pompey from Archbald, PA. OK Braveheart was bred by locals Shannon Brott (Gloversville, NY) and West Springtime Racing Stable (Johnstown, NY).

My Last Laugh by Sealed N Delivered made an admirable attempt in the 2008 Night of Champions, having finished fifth and is on target to be a finalist again this year. Trained by Ray Schnittker of Middletown, NY, My Last Laugh has 2009 NYSS earnings of $69,572.15 with two wins and two seconds in four starts. He is owned by Jerry Silva from Long Beach, NY along with owner/breeder Mathias Meinzinger from Central Islip, NY. He is trained by Ray Schnittker of Middletown, NY.

Three-Year-Old Trotting Colts

Russell Hill by Conway Hall has an impressive $137,155 in 2009 NYSS earnings with a flawless NYSS record of five wins in five starts. He's a newcomer to the NY program, but has already made a big impact this season. His owners/breeders are Marvin Katz from Toronto, Ontario and Al Leibfeld from Pickinging, Ontario along with owner Sam Goldband from Toronto, Ontario. He is trained by Jimmy Takter.

Big Sky Domino by CR Excalibur is a finals contender this year with NYSS earnings of $123,219. While he only raced twice last season finishing third and sixth, he has created an impressive 2009 stakes resume with six starts with two wins and four seconds. He is surely making Owner/Breeder Domenico Costagliola from Pt Pleasant, NJ and trainer Chris Marino proud.

America by Conway Hall is another newcomer to the New York Sire Stakes competition, yet he is one to watch for the finals. With a nice bankroll of $108,883 in 2009 NYSS earnings in six starts with two wins, three seconds and one third, America is a strong opponent. His breeder is Walnut Hall Limited from Lexington, KY and his owners are David Scharf of NY, NY and David McDuffee of Nashua, NH.

Judge Joe by Credit Winner placed second in last year's Night of Champions and is poised to head to the finals again this year. He has 2009 NYSS earnings of $65,271 with three wins in three starts. Prior to Saturday's Yonker's Trot, Doug Ackerman did it all being the breeder, owner, trainer and driver, having owned the colt with his wife Ada Jean. The Ackermans sold the colt on August 20 to Mario Zuanetti's Atlantic Trot, Inc. Judge Joe has made a big impact on the NYSS this year as well as going wire to wire in winning the Yonkers Trot for his new connections. His new trainer is Jimmy Takter.

Watch for these top competitors as they race their way to the 20th annual New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions at Vernon Downs on Saturday, September 26th. The $1.4 million cash grab is comprised of eight, $175,000 sire stakes finals, for two-and three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits with 9 horse fields going postward. Post time for the event is 6:55pm.

For more information on the New York Sire Stakes racing program, please visit www.nysirestakes.com.

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