by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — Dr Dreamy and Brian Sears captured the $217,250 final of the Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old pacing colts on Sunday night (May 30) at Tioga Downs.

Brian Sears steered Dr Dreamy to a 1:51 score on Sunday.

Sears got away third as the field moved past the opening quarter in :27.4 with David Miller and Malicious moving to the front. However, Sears let no dust settle and moved Dr Dreamy to the front with a second panel of :27.1, reaching the half in :55.

George Brennan sent Art Two D Two first over and applied pressure to the pacesetter as the field reached three-quarters in 1:23.1. The field turned for home and Dr Dreamy had put away Art Two D Two, however he now had to deal with a fresh threat from Malicious and Miller through the stretch.

Sears and Dr Dreamy proved too much for Malicious through the stretch and paced away to a 1-1/2 length victory in a new lifetime best of 1:51. Malicious finished second, while Art Two D Two held on for third after a tough first over trip.

Dr Dreamy is a son of Art Major-Candy Stripes, who is trained by George Teague, Jr. for the partnership of Only Money, George Teague Jr., Theodore Gewertz and Teague Racing Partnership.

“It looked like they were going to mix it up with John’s (Campbell) horse (Jo Pa’s Fod) leaving,” said Sears. “I knew he was going to be pretty aggressive but when his horse made a break with the first quarter in :27.4, I had to make my move and get my horse to the front because he couldn’t come first over, I knew he wouldn’t have a shot.

“I know that horse has a lot of heart and a lot of try in him so I was pretty confident, but that was a pretty good horse on my back so I was real proud of my horse tonight. He raced a great race.”

Galimony and David Miller took home the $202,200 Empire Breeders Classic Final for the 3-year-old pacing fillies in a new lifetime best of 1:52.4.

Fred Brown photos

Galimony edged Hula’s Z Tam by three-quarters of a length.

Miller sent Galimony out of the gate from post position two and sat the pocket trip behind Barks Like A Dog and George Brennan, who cut through fractions of :27 and :57. Brennan headed Barks Like A Dog towards three-quarters and stepped on the gas as Hula’s Z Tam and Patrick Lachance applied steady first over pressure through a third quarter of 1:24.4.

Galimony watched the action from third and as the field reached the top of the stretch Miller sent the filly three wide and surged past to stop the timer in 1:52.4. Hula’s Z Tam, despite a tough first over journey, hung on for second while Barks Like A Dog was third.

Galimony is a daughter of Artiscape-Ideal Gal and is trained by Linda Toscano for the Stake Your Claim Stable.

“When I saw the entries and I was down on her, she looked like she raced well in the eliminations so I was just glad to get the drive,” said Miller. “I was able to slip out around the last turn and the horse did the rest. She felt like she was going to win heading into the stretch. When I tipped her three deep and pulled her earplugs, she shot.”

George Brennan posted a driving triple on the night’s 10-race card, while Jimmy Marohn, Jr. and Jim Morrill, Jr. each carded doubles.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day), with a post time of 1:30 p.m, while Vernon Downs hosts the finals of the Empire Breeders Classics for 3-year-old trotters beginning at 1:15 p.m. For more information visit www.tiogadowns.com.