by Jim Moran

Vernon, NY — Archangel stole the show in Friday night’s Empire Breeders Classic elimination races at Vernon Downs, establishing a 1:53.4 track record for 3-year-old colt trotters.

Vernon Downs photo

Archangel broke a track record held by Deweycheatumnhowe in his EBC elim on Friday night at Vernon Downs.

Jim Morrill, Jr. drove in the $12,500 10th event, the second elimination for New York-bred male members of the diagonal gait, as Archangel ($5.30) closed from fourth in the final quarter (personally timed in :27 seconds) to defeat the breaking Coraggioso by 1-1/2 lengths. The time was a win mark for the black son of Credit Winner-Michelle’s Angel, who earned his third victory (plus a second-place finish) in four starts, and increased his career bankroll to $172,670 for trainer Peter Arrigenna and his partners Alan C. Hainsworth and Clare M. Semer.

Vernon’s previous 1:54 record for this age, sex and gait was set by Deweycheatumnhowe in 2008.

It was one of six wins on Friday’s 12-race program for Morrill, Jr., who also teamed six winners here on May 25. He is currently tied with Tim Tetrick for most driving wins on one program at the 16-card meeting.

The fastest filly flight went to For A Dancer ($3.00), who delivered a career-best 1:54.3 performance in Friday’s $12,500 ninth race, which was just 2/5ths of a second off the track’s female mark, established by Personal Banner in 1996. Jeff Gregory drove for trainer Joe Holloway and the Bluestone Farms. The bay daughter of Conway Hall-Fluttering Winds remains undefeated after three season’s starts.

Also qualifying for next Friday’s (June 8) $233,250 (est.) male EBC championship race here were War Cry Hall, the first division winner in a life’s best 1:55.2 with Morrill, Jr. steering for trainer Ron Burke, and owners Joseph Di Scala, Jr., Cynthia Lynn Massari and the Burke Racing Stable, as well as Flyhawk Jester, A Penny Earned, Trouble, Delano, Coraggioso, Turbulent Flight and Southwind Austin. No Frosting will be the first also eligible.

For A Dancer and Anandamide, who captured the first distaff dash in a career-best 1:56.2 effort, with Morrill, Jr. sitting in for trainer Anette Lorentzon and the Acl Stuteri Ab contingent, will be joined in next Friday’s $239,550 (est.) filly final by Lima Playmate, Moonglow, Fortunista, Cowgirl Hall, Borrow And Spend, Latte Hall and Fancy, with Vixy serving as the first also eligible.