Vernon, NY — Fast Choice and driver Doug McNair captured the $110,100 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday (Aug. 17) at Vernon Downs.

Silent Weapon (Tyler Buter) charged out of the gate and was first to the quarter in :26.4. Thirsty Thursday (Matt Kakaley) took over control heading around the first turn. As they headed down the backstretch, Fast Choice ($6.90) spurted by and led to the half in :54. He remained on top atthree-quarters in 1:23.2.

As they reached the stretch, it was down to the two unbeaten pacers. Second-place finisher Thirsty Thursday came all-out after Fast Choice, who dug in as Thirsty Thursday kept coming. Fast Choice won in a lifetime best 1:50.3. Holt Hanover (Ray Schnittker) finished third.

Fast Choice is a 2-year-old gelding by Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru trained by Jared Bako for owners Ashley Bako and Randy Zane. He is now four-for-four.

Jimmy Whittemore drove three winners, two of whom he also trained. John MacDonald had a driving and training double.

On the undercard, Awol Hanover (Steve Reisenweaver) won the Angus MacDonald Memorial Trot. The 10-year-old gelding by Donato Hanover is owned by Reisenweaver and trained by Jeff Byron.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 23) starting at 4:00 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.