Empire Breeders Classic eliminations Friday at Vernon Downs
June 7, 2017,from Vernon Downs
Vernon, NY — The cream of the New York sired sophomore trotting colt crop will gather at Vernon Downs on Friday night (June 9) to contest the eliminations for the Empire Breeders Classic.
Racing Secretary Scott Warren took 13 declarations which have been separated into a pair of $12,500 elimination races as the fourth and sixth on the card.
Race four is a powerful field of six led by an entry from the Julie Miller barn. Money Macintosh (post one, Andy Miller), owned in part by Julie with partner Natalia Stroy as Stroy, Inc., won more than $150,000 on the circuit at two on the strength of five wins. He had a start here last week, finishing fourth in the NYSS raced on Memorial Day. His entry mate is Legendary Standardbred’s homebred Top Flight Angel (post four) who will be driven by Marcus Miller on Friday.
The Millers will also send out the favorite for division two in the winner of last season’s NYSS final, Devious Man (post two). The half brother to 2005 Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo made more than $300,000 as a freshman and was a 1:53.3 winner in his 2017 debut against sires stake company. He is owned by Stroy Inc. and the Andy Miller Stable, Julie trains and Andy will drive.
The top four from each elimination and one fifth place finisher chosen by lot will return on Sunday (June 18) for the $252,000 final.
The $228,250 EBC filly race had ten declare and required no eliminations. They will race on the same June 18 card and are listed below in post position order for that race.
1. Maewegonow, 2. Celebrity Ruth, 3. Sunshine Delight, 4. Ostrich Blue Chip, 5. Amber Ella, 6. Mamora Bay, 7. Heels On Wheels,
8. Stars N Sparkles, 9. Barn Bella, 10. Chapter Too.
The supporting card features three divisions of NYSS for 3-year-old filly pacers and the accompanying Excelsior races.
Post time is 6:45 p.m.
- Bill’s Man and Devious Man win EBC eliminations at Vernon Downs (Saturday, June 10, 2017)
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). With Bill’s Man and Devious Man winning their eliminations and Clear Idea, Angel’s Pride and Playing Favorites capturing their NYSS events.