Vernon, NY – Kierrkegaard K (Aki Svanstedt) equaled the track record for trotters during a great afternoon of racing at Vernon Downs featuring four Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) races for 3-year-old trotters on Friday (June 16).

Kierkegaard K ($2.80) charges late to capture the $97,022 EBC second division for colts & geldings

Chapercraz (Joe Bongiorno) and Kierkegaard K battled early out of the gate but Chapercraz took the lead to the quarter in :26.1. He used a :28.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :54.3. Tillio’s Action (Jordan Stratton) was first to make a move first-up from third as Chapercraz was first to three-quarters in 1:22.2.

Kierkegaard K charged down the lane to win the $97K second division for colts & geldings. Fotowon photo.

As the reached the stretch Tillio’s Action would wrestle the lead away. Kierkegaard K came three-wide late and was flying in deep stretch to overtake the second-place finisher Tillio’s Action and set a new mark for 3-year-old colts and equaling the overall track record set by Atlanta with a time of 1:50.3. Chapercraz had to settle for third.

Kierkegaard K is a colt by Chapter Seven. He is trained by Svanstedt for owner Knuttson Trotting Inc. It was his second win this season and his third career victory.

Sadie Hanover (Scott Zeron) dominates field to win the $104,371 second division for EBC fillies

Sadie Hanover ($2.70) gunned out of the gate and led to the quarter in :26.1. She controlled the race using a :29.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.3. Instagram Model (Jason Bartlett) was first to make a move heading around the final turn but stalled some as Sadie Hanover led to three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Sadie Hanover dominated the field in the $104K second division for EBC Fillies. Fotowon photo.

As they made the turn for home Sadie Hanover put it in another gear and cruised to her lifetime best of 1:51.3. Usosweet Hanover (Marcus Miller) came on late to finish second. Canterbury Hanover (Jeff Gregory) was third.

Sadie Hanover is a filly by Chapter Seven. Linda Toscano trains for owners Bay Stable, Blue Ridge Stable, Carmen Iannacone, and Gary Coco. She is now five for five in 2023. This was her sixth career victory.

Royal Filly (Tyler Buter) goes gate-to-wire in the $104,371 first division of the EBC for sophomore filly trotters

Royal Filly ($5.70) jumped right out of the gate and surged to the front to lead to the quarter in :27.4. She slowed things down using a :29.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.4. She breezed to three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Royal Filly went gate-to-wire in the $104K first division for EBC filly trotters. Fotowon photo.

As they reached the stretch Royal Filly played catch me if you can. Second place finisher Gigi Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) and third place finisher Kayleigh S (Brian Sears) tried to do just that but Royal Filly was too strong and won in 1:52.3.

Royal Filly is a filly by Chapter Seven. She is owned by Crawford Farms racing and trained by Tony Alagna. It was her second win this season and of her career.

Kilmister (Brian Sears) captures the $95,771 first division for EBC colts & gelding

Cecil Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) was first to the quarter in :27.1. He used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.4. He still showed the way to three-quarters in 1:26.0.

As they made the turn for home Kilmister ($4.20) popped the pocket and went after the lead. Cecil Hanover and Kilmister battled all the way down the stretch. Kilmister surged to the front and won in 1:52.4. Cecil Hanover had to settle for second. Sevecheetah (Joe Bongiorno) finished third.

Kilmister picked up the victory in the first division for EBC colts & geldings this afternoon at Vernon Downs. Fotowon photo.

Kilmister is a colt by Chapter Seven. He is owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander. It was his first win in 2023. He now owns six career victories.

Vernon Downs also welcomed three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts & Geldings.
Thunder Hunter Joe (Tyler Buter) holds off a late charge by American Fling (Jason Bartlett) to win the $39,233 first division in a lifetime best of 1:49.2. Peppermint Man (Matt Kakaley) finished third.

Thunder Hunter Joe ($3.80) is a gelding by Huntsville. He is trained by Nicholas Devita for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, Christopher Giaccio, and Devita Racing Stable. He is three for three in 2023.

Huntingthelastdolar (Scott Zeron) hunts down I was Tricked (Braxten Boyd) with his last strides to win the $39,233 second division in a lifetime best of 1:49.2. Taste Of Honey (Joe Bongiorno) was third.

Huntingthelastdolar ($7.90) is a colt by Huntsville. He is owned by trainer Gregg McNair, George Kerr, and Bradley Grant. It was his first win this season and third career victory.

It’s a Me Mario (Brian Sears) won the $39,233 third division in a lifetime best of 1:49.4. Pacino Hanover (Matt Kakaley) finished second. Goldin Greatness (Scott Zeron) was third best.

It’s A Me Mario ($6.80) is a colt by American Ideal. He is owned by Joshua Graber and trained by Shane Tritton. He is a perfect five for five in 2023.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 17) with a 10-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.
For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.