from Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — A sampling of top Hambletonian prospects will lead the charge to Monday’s (May 28) $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic 3-year-old trotting finals at Vernon Downs as part of the Memorial Day matinee card beginning at 1:05 p.m.

Fotowon photo

Six Pack won his elimination for sophomore trotting colts in 1:52.1, which equaled the track record.

The imposing Muscle Mass colt Six Pack (post two) equaled Market Share’s track record of 1:52.1 in last week’s elimination race and needed every bit of that strong effort to get past Helpisontheway by just a half-length on the wire for the win. He’s won both of his seasonal starts at Vernon and heads into the $223,673 final (race eight) in top form for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt who owns the colt in partnership with Jeff Gural’s Little E, LLC, Stall Kalmar and Lars Berg.

Trainer Linda Toscano sends out a pair of leading contenders, both sired by her 2012 Horse of the Year Chapter Seven. The aforementioned Helpisontheway (post three, Tim Tetrick) did much of the work before succumbing very late to Six Pack. He’s owned by the trainer (as Camelot Stables) and The Bay’s Stable.

Local owner Ken Jacobs will watch his colt Seven Iron (post four, David Miller) who won the second EBC elimination. He’s a rock solid trotter who gives an honest effort every time he puts his nose on the gate, was a Grand Circuit winner at Red Mile and second in the Kindergarten final last season.

The route to the $238,613 EBC filly final (race nine) winner’s circle appears to go through Atlanta, not the city but Rick Zeron’s wicked fast Chapter Seven filly. She absolutely cruised to victory in 1:53.1, fastest of three elimination divisions for driver Scott Zeron and appeared to have plenty left. Atlanta will leave from post four as she carries the hopes of Howard Taylor, Holland Racing Stable and Brad Grant who own her in partnership with trainer Rick Zeron.

Svanstedt manages the other two elim winners in Natalie Hanover and Plunge Blue Chip, who start from the inside most posts, respectively, on Monday.

Plunge Blue Chip (Svanstedt) was the state’s top freshman filly trotter last season and also won the Grand Circuit stake Goldsmith Maid final, earning more than $400,000 at two for the trainer and his partners Blue Chip Bloodstock and Tomas Andersson.

Natalie Hanover (Mark MacDonald) took a lifetime mark with her 1:54.1 score last week and seeks her biggest payday for Van Camp Trotting Corp, Anders Olsson, Lars Berg and Borje Nasstrom.

The supporting card includes consolations for both EBC classes and a $120,000 New York Sires Stake divided into three divisions; it’s the first battle of the year for the state bred 3-year-old colt pacers.

Vernon and the USTA Strategic Wagering Program have joined to offer a $3,000 guaranteed pool on a Pick-4 wager on races six-nine that includes both EBC finals. Free program pages for the races included in the wager are available on the web.