by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Heston Blue Chip, fresh off of his 1:49.2 track record equaling mile in a division of the New York Sires Stakes last Sunday at Tioga Downs, headlines 15 pacing colts in the Empire Breeders Classic eliminations on Sunday afternoon (August 5) at Tioga Downs. Post time is 1:30 p.m.

The 3-year-old son of American Ideal–Shot Togo Bluechip is trained by Linda Toscano for owner Ken Jacobs. He comes into Sunday’s eliminations sporting a record of six wins in seven starts with his only blemish coming from a fourth place finish in the Meadowlands Pace final. Tim Tetrick will be on hand once again to drive Heston Blue Chip who has drawn post position six (head number five) in a field of seven set to go postward in the third race.

Linda Toscano also trains the entry of Bettor’s Edge and Forever Just who have been made the 2-1 morning line favorites in the second elimination. Forever Just (Tim Tetrick) finished second in last week’s NYSS event to Dynamic Youth and has drawn post four (head number 1A) in a field of eight. His stablemate and the other half of the entry, Bettor’s Edge (David Miller), won an Adios elimination a few weeks back at the Meadows, but finished sixth in the final.

Ten 3-year-old pacing fillies were entered into the Empire Breeders Classic race on Thursday morning so no eliminations will be necessary. All 10 pacing fillies will move directly to the final on Sunday (August 12) with a post time of 1:30 p.m. The 10 fillies for the EBC include American Jewel, Bettor B Lucky, Brownsville Bomber, Eighthunrdolarbill, Handsoffmycookie, Hearts N Flowers, Ramalama, Romantic Moment, Ryder Blue Chip and Shelliscape.

Tioga Downs races on Friday and Saturday at 6:50 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.