by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs hosted the Empire Breeders Classic eliminations (EBC) for 3-year-old trotting colts and three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing geldings on Friday night (June 9).

Bill’s Man wins his EBC elimination in 1:53 at Vernon Downs.

Bill’s Man (Corey Callahan) would win the first of the two EBC eliminations. Owned by William Wiswell and M&L of Delaware LLC, the Credit Winner colt would follow Stick With Me Kid (Brian Sears), before blowing by in the stretch to win in 1:53.0. Such An Angel (Mark MacDonald) would come up for second behind Bill’s Man ($3.90). Stick With Me Kid would hang on for third. Top Flight Angel (Marcus Miller) would finish fourth to qualify with the other three horses for the $252,000 final on Sunday (June 18).

Devious Man (Andy Miller ) would win the second EBC elimination. Swell Chap (Corey Callahan) would take charge and lead just before the half. Lord Cromwell (John Campbell) would brush by and control the tempo swelling to a two-length advantage at the top of the stretch. Devious Man ($4.10) who is owned by the Andy Miller Stable and Stoy Inc. and trained by Julie Miller, would make his move with a burst of speed overtaking Lord Cromwell (third) and runner-up Swell Chap in 1:53.4. Dw’s Revenge (Brian Sears) would finish fourth. All four colts reached next Sundaasfinal as well.

Clear Idea (Mark MacDonald) would capture the first $39,900 division of the NYSS for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Clear Idea ($8.10), who is by American Ideal and owned by Hutt Racing Stable is trained by Blake Macintosh and went gate-to-wire in 1:52.0. Gurl Band K (Dan Dube) was second with Artrageous (Andy Miller) third.

Fotowon photos

Clear Idea takes her division of the NYSS in 1:52.

Angel’s Pride (Brian Sears) would take the second $40,600 NYSS sophomore fillies division. The 3-year-old Roll With Joe filly, who is owned by the Triple D Stables Inc. and Jfe Enterprise LLC, is trained by Scott Di Domenico. She won with a late move in the stretch to stop the clock in 1:51.0. Angel’s Pride ($14.60) held off Major Master Piece (Jim Morrill Jr.) while St Helena (Mark MacDonald) was third.

The third $40,600 division of the NYSS for sophomore fillies was taken by Playing Favorites (Jason Bartlett). The 3-year-old Roll With Joe filly, who is owned by Lewis Whitaker Jr. and Charles Rowe, is trained by Jenny Melander. She used a late move to overtake Planet Rock (John Campbell) to win in 1:52.3. Playing Favorites paid $13.20 for the upset win. Magic Forces (Marcus Miller) took third.

The ninth horse to qualify for the EBC final for sophomore trotting colts is Another Chapter (Jim Morrill Jr.).

Vernon Downs will host the Empire’s Breeders Classic final for 3-year-old trotting fillies ($228,250) along with the colt counterpart on Sunday (June 18) with a post time of 1:05 p.m.

Draw for all post positions is Wednesday (June 14).

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.