Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both sophomore trotting fillies as well as 3-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Friday (June 13).
Super Chapter (Scott Zeron) dominates the $87,250 EBC first division for sophomore colts & geldings.
Super Chapter ($2.80) grabbed the lead and led to the quarter in :26.4. He slowed things down with a :29.2 second quarter and maintained the lead to the half in :56.1. Maryland (Dexter Dunn) came chasing first-over going around the final turn. Super Chapter was first to three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Super Chapter let out another gear and just flew down the stretch with an impressive :26.1 last quarter to win in a sparkling lifetime best of 1:50.4. Just 1/5 off the track record. Maryland had to settle for second. Hard Seven (Todd McCarthy) finished third.
Super Chapter is a 3-year-old colt by Chapter Seven. He is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Jeff Snyder, and Arthur Pronti. He is now two for two as a sophomore. He owns seven career victories.
Chat Room (Tyler Buter) longshot winner in the $88,500 second division for colts & geldings.
Chat Room ($27.80) was first to the quarter in :28.0. Variegated (Dexter Dunn) took over the lead going down the backstretch and led to the half in :56.0. BJM’s Lil Man (Matt Kakaley) came first-up to challenge going around the final turn. Variegated turned him away and led to three-quarters in 1:24.4.
Chat Room waited patiently in the pocket until they reached the stretch. He popped the pocket and blew right on by equaling his lifetime best of 1:52.3. Variegated had to settle for second. Monserate ) David Miller) was third best.
Chat Room is a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven. He is trained by John Butenschoen for owners James Crawford IV, David Miller, Charles Rowe, and Lawrence Means. It was his second win this season and his fifth career victory.
Pink Bomb (Dexter Dunn) captures the $87,750 first division of the EBC’s for 3-year-old fillies
Chapvious (Jason Bartlett) led to the first quarter in :28.0. Pink Bomb ($8.70) made her move first-up going down the backside and was first to the half in :57.2. Sonmar Pond (Brett Beckwith) was first to make a move going around the final turn. Pink Bomb continued in command leading to three-quarters in 1:26.3.
As they made the turn for home second place finisher My Debt Collector (Tyler Buter) came flying late but was too late as Pink Bomb won in a lifetime best of 1:54.1. Chapvious was third best.
Pink Bomb is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. Owned by Crawford Farms Racing, and Heather Marshall while trained by John Butenschoen. It fourth win of the season and the fifth win of her career.
EL Nightwish (Dexter Dunn) takes the $89,000 second division for the fillies.
Pink Chou Chou (David Miller) took the early lead but Seventh Gen (Jeff Gregory) grabbed control just before getting to the quarter first in :27.1. She used a :30.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.1. EL Nightwish ($6.70) made her move going around the last turn. Seventh Gen had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:25.3.
As they entered the stretch EL Nightwish forged to the lead and won easily in a lifetime best of 1:52.4. Seventh Gen had to settle for second. Devious Babe (Tyler Miller) finished third.
EL Nightwish is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. She is owned by Emp Invest Oy and trained by Lucas Wallin. She is four for four in 2025.
Vernon also played host for two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts & geldings.
American Son (Dexter Dunn) takes the NYSS $59,100 first division
The 3-year-old colt by Chapter Seven took the lead just before the half and won easily in 1:50.0. Red Blooded (Tyler Buter) finished second. Holt Hanover was third best.
American Son paid $2.30 to win. He is owned by Henderson Farms and trained by Chris Ryder. It was his first win this season and his fifth career trip to the winner’s circle.
Courts On Fire (Brett Beckwith) captures the $59,100 second division
Courts On Fire ($4.30) took the early lead but then followed third place finisher Thirsty Thursday (Tyler Buter) all around the track until Courts On Fire went on by in the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:50.0. Dune Buggy (Jason Bartlett) came up to finish second best.
Courts On Fire is a 3-year-old by Courtly Choice. He is owned by Hutt Racing Stable, Tim Klemencic, and trainer Blake Macintosh. It was his second win of the season. He now owns four career victories.
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 14) with a post time of 5:05 p.m. For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.