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

Nichols, NY — Hypnotic Blue Chip and Tim Tetrick lead a field of nine sophomore pacing colts into the $218,925 Empire Breeder’s Classic final on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown Photography

Hypnotic Blue Chip and Tim Tetrick won their elimination last week by fourteen lengths to establish a new track record for 3-year-old pacing colts.

The duo crushed a field of eight in their elimination last week by fourteen lengths to establish a new track record for 3-year-old pacing colts, which was also a national seasons record in 1:50.4. The 3-year-old son of Art Major-A Traceofmagic is trained by Mark Harder, who co-owns the colt with Deena Frost, Stable 45, and Robert Murphy. Hypnotic Blue Chip was bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc.

One of his main rivals for the final is New York Sire Stakes Champion Hay Goodlooking who captured the other elimination last Sunday in 1:53.2 with a final panel of 27.4. Gates Brunet will be in the sulky for the 3-year-old’s second start of the season, and will leave from post position number two.

In the $203,425 Empire Breeder’s Classic final for 3-year-old filly pacers, Indulge Me will look for a repeat performance from last week’s elimination. Mike LaChance used a pocket trip behind Stolly Up Bluechip for the right to choose their post position for the final, and the connections opted for post position two. Opposing elimination winner Perfect Launch and Tim Tetrick won their division comfortably by more than three lengths in 1:55.2. Linda Toscano and owner Ken Jacobs have selected post position one for the final.

Below are the fields before driver changes for the Empire Breeder’s Classic Finals:

$203,425 EBC 3FP
HN-PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-5-Rumrunner BlueChip-Jeff Gregory-Mark Harder
1a-9-Twin B Treasure-David Miller-Mark Kesmodel
2-1-Perfect Launch-Tim Tetrick-Linda Toscano
3-2-Indulge Me-Mike LaChance-Ed Lohmeyer
4-3-Major’s Sweetheart-Jim Morrill Jr.-Ed Hart
5-4-Stolly Up Bluechip-Jim Morrill Jr.-Mark Ford
6-6-Up Front Kellie Jo-Dave Palone-Perry Simser
7-7-Keep It Fair-Ray Schnittker-Ray Schnittker
8-8-Allamerican Caress-Sam Schillaci-Sam Schillaci

$18,925 EBC 3CP
HN-PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-2-Hay Goodlooking-Gates Brunet-Gates Brunet
1a-7-Tyree-Ray Schnittker-Ray Schnittker
1b-8-Bet The Town-Jim Morrill Jr.-Ray Schnittker
2-1-Redneck Outlaw-Mike LaChance-Daniel Altman
3-3-Hypnotic Blue Chip-Tim Tetrick-Mark Harder
4-4-Haroun Hanover-Jimmy Marohn Jr.-George Teague Jr.
5-5-Monkey Off My Back-David Miller-Chris Ryder