by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Nichols, NY — Top New York-sired 3-year-old pacers will contest a pair of Empire Breeders Classic finals on Sunday (Aug. 23) at Tioga Downs, while the 2015 renewal of the Roll With Joe attracted a half-dozen veteran pacers.

The ninth race on the Sunday afternoon program is the Roll With Joe for free-for-all pacers, and a select field of six will contest a $150,000 purse.

Trainer Ron Burke sends out two of the six starters, with Foiled Again (post five, Yannick Gingras) leading the sentimental interests. The 84-time winner has amassed more than $7 million in his career, but only has one win to date in his 11-year-old season — he narrowly prevailed in the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park in June.

U.S. Pacing Championship winner State Treasurer (post two) has been installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite following his dominant 1:47 triumph at the Meadowlands just two weeks ago. Trainer Dr. Ian Moore once again enlists David Miller to drive the 6-year-old Real Desire horse.

Track record holder Doo Wop Hanover (post six) returns to Tioga as well, having paced a 1:47.4 mile in his Graduate event on Memorial Day. John Campbell is back in the bike for trainer Steve Elliott.

Pacing fillies vie for $269,000 in their Empire Breeders Classic event (race six), and Divine Caroline (post two) has been installed the 2-1 morning line favorite. The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven vaulted clear from the pocket for a 1:49.4 win in her elimination last week, having earned runner-up honors in the Shady Daisy and Mistletoe Shalee earlier in the season. David Miller will drive the four-time winner for trainer Joe Holloway.

Along with Band Of Angels (Yannick Gingras, post three) and Moremercy Bluechip (Andy Miller, post four), also victorious in their eliminations, a field of nine have been attracted for this prestigious distaff event.

Not a half hour later, pacing colts and geldings square off for a $290,000 purse in their Empire Breeders Classic event (race seven). In The Arsenal (post two) rebounded well from a pair of off-the-board finishes in the Meadowlands Pace and the Cane Pace, controlling the terms in his elimination for a 1:49.3 triumph under Brian Sears. The Kelvin Harrison trainee has been installed as part of an 8-5 favored entry, along with Betting Exchange (post seven, Yannick Gingras).

Casie Coleman trainee Arque Hanover (post one), the other elimination winner, will receive the driving services of George Brennan as Sears opted to remain with In The Arsenal.

Post time for the star-studded Sunday program is slated for 1:30 p.m. (EDT).