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

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs is gearing up for the eliminations of the Empire Breeders Classic on Saturday, May 17. There will be two elims for the 3-year-old trotting fillies and two elims for the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, each for a purse of $12,500.

Vernon will host the $250,000 (est.) finals for each sex on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, with a post time of 1:15 p.m.

Dexter Cup champion Holiday Credit leads a field of seven in the first elim for the colts and geldings for trainer Jimmy Takter, who has listed Jim Morrill, Jr. to do the driving. Holiday Credit is a perfect three-for-three on the year, with each start at Freehold Raceway. In his last outing, the Credit Winner son led gate-to-wire to take the $185,000 Dexter Cup Final in 1:56.3, winning by more than four lengths.

The second elim for the boys, which has been slated as the eighth race, is a much anticipated match-up between two Conway Hall colts, Ace High Hall from trainer Mark Ford and Big Apple Deli for trainer John Simpson, Jr. Both have listed Jim Morrill, Jr. to drive.

Ace High Hall finished third last year in the final of the New York Sire Stakes for owner Martin Scharf, but Big Apple Deli was scratched lame after his win at Tioga Downs on August 20 and never made another start in 2007.

Pose For Me, who finished second to Nirvana Blue Chip in a Lady Suffolk division this past Friday, will look to take the first elimination for the 3-year-old fillies. Co-owner, trainer and driver Chuck Connor, Jr. will leave from post position one with the Conway Hall daughter.

In the second elim Nirvana Blue Chip has drawn the rail for trainer Jim Raymer, who has listed Jim Morrill, Jr. to do the driving. The Credit Winner trotter will look for her third win in four starts this season for owner Steve Organ.

Her main competition will come from Epangeline and Ray Schnittker, Jr. from post position four. Epangeline hit the board in 10 of her 11 starts last year and banked over $126,000.

Susan XYZ is coming off an impressive victory in a qualifier at The Meadowlands where she tripped the timer in 1:56.3 with a last quarter in :27.4 for trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer.

Vernon’s sister track, Tioga Downs, will host the eliminations of the Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old pacers on Sunday, May 18, with a post time of 1:15 p.m. Meadowlands drivers Yannick Gingras and Hall of Famer John Campbell have committed to driving at Tioga Downs for the eliminations along with next week’s finals on Sunday, May 25.

Vernon Downs kicks off its three-day racing week on Thursday, May 15, with a post time of 6:55 p.m. For more information about the upcoming promotions, feature races, and events at Vernon Downs please visit our Web site at www.vernondowns.com.