Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for 3-year-old trotters on Friday (June 12).
Spencer Hanover (Jason Bartlett) won the $176,530 EBC for colts and geldings.
Read The Room (Sarah Svanstedt) took the early lead and led to the quarter in :29. As they headed down the backstretch, Spencer Hanover ($2.10) made his move first-over from third and took command to the half in :58.1. He then cruised to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they reached the stretch, Read The Room popped out of the pocket and went after the leader but could not get to Spencer Hanover. Second/place finisher Twin B Seven Sins (Niko Karna) made a strong late bid, but Spencer Hanover had the jump and won in 1:54.3. Seven Grand (Åke Svanstedt) finished third.
Spencer Hanover is a colt by Chapter Seven trained by Marcus Melander for owners Jeffrey Snyder and Arthur Pronti. He is now 4-for-4 in 2026. It was his seventh career victory.
Nezuko Kamado S (Scott Zeron) took the $195,020 EBC for fillies.
Sharp Seven (Jeff Gregory) laid down all the early fractions, controlling splits of :28, :56.2 and 1:24.3. As they reached the stretch, the first to make a move was second-place finisher R Ro (Tyler Buter). Nezuko Kamado S ($3.24) came flying from the far outside and blew on by to win, equaling her lifetime mark in 1:52.4. Lauren’s Chapter (Niko Kärnä) finished third.
Nezuko Kamado S is a filly by Chapter Seven. She is owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander. She is 2-for-2 as a sophomore. She now has eight career first-place finishes.
Knoxville (Tyler Buter) dominated the $121,800 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Knoxville ($3.62) charged to the quarter in :28.1. He used a :28 second quarter and led to the half in :56.1. He found another gear as he widened the lead going around the final turn and was first to three quarters in 1:23.1.
As they made the turn for home, it became a race for second as Knoxville won in a lifetime best 1:50.3. Mighty Matt (Braxten Boyd) got second place money. Hunt Off The Press (Jason Bartlett) finished third.
Knoxville is a colt by Huntsville. He is owned by Milton Leeman, Louis Palumbo, Ted Gewertz, and trainer Ray Schnittker. It was his third win this season. He now has four career victories.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 13) with a first-race post time of 5:05 p.m.
For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.