by M. Kelly Young, executive director, Harness Horse Breeders of New York

Nichols, NY — Trainer Linda Toscano will have her hands full when four of her pacers head to post for the inaugural Empire Breeders Classic eliminations at Tioga Downs on Sunday, May 20. A total of 15 colts and 13 fillies will square off in hopes of advancing to the $150,000 (est.) finals next week.

The star in Toscano’s barn right now is Kenneth J, last year’s New York Sire Stakes champion, whose sophomore return to the track and expected appearances in some of the rich 3-year-old stakes has been highly anticipated.

“When a horse comes with as much hype as this one, and you see him come back this well, it’s really exciting,” said the trainer. “I do get a little nervous with a good horse while we’re anticipating, but I’m fine once we get to racing. Everyone expects a good horse to do well so all eyes are on you and you don’t want to make a mistake.”

Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, N.Y., owns the son of Bettor’s Delight and like many of his horses, named the colt after one of his grandsons. Kenneth J spent his winter in North Carolina and trained down for his 3-year-old campaign with Bob Bloodgood before returning to Toscano’s New Jersey-based operation. After two strong qualifiers at the Meadowlands in 1:51.3 and 1:51.4, Kenneth J seems ready for his season’s debut.

“This year he’s stronger and bigger,” explained Toscano of her leading pacer, “so we could shoe him and hang him up (adjust his equipment) more for speed than we did last year.”

Kenneth J has drawn post five in the eighth race. Based on his performance this week and hopefully in the final next Sunday, his connections will make the decision about his next race — now tentatively scheduled as the C$1.5 million North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack.

Toscano also starts three fillies: J K Pure Pearl from post four in the second race and JK Let It Ride and The Isle Of Pan as an entry in race six.

The “JK” horses are Bettor’s Delight homebreds for the 3 Brothers Stables of Alan, Ronald and Steven Katz. J K Pure Pearl is also co-owned by William Jacobowitz and Camelot Stables.

The Katz brothers are Toscano’s longest owners — since 1987 if her memory serves — and they name the horses they breed with the JK prefix in honor of their late father, Jack Katz. Their mother’s name, Pearl, also shows up in the names of many of the horses they campaign.

Because of her long-standing relationship with the owners and the success of these two fillies last year — J K Pure Pearl earned $88,008 and JK Let It Ride earned $105,576, both largely in the New York Sire Stakes — Toscano is looking forward to the kick-off of their sophomore campaigns also.

“JK Let It Ride has come back real well and she’s definitely a lot stronger than she was last year,” offered Toscano. “J K Pure Pearl was OK in her qualifier but she doesn’t put her best game together until she gets in a race. Let It Ride probably has the most talent and Pearl improved all through last year, so I’m looking forward to what they will both do this year.”

The Isle Of Pan, by Noble Ability, competed well in the New York Sire Stakes last year for another trainer and came to Toscano’s barn after changing ownership in January to Stake Your Claim Stable, David Dadetta and Fred Wallace. She has been racing since the beginning of the year and performed well in early-season series action at Yonkers Raceway and the Meadowlands.

“I think (the Empire Breeders Classic) is a great situation for everyone involved,” said Toscano. “It’s an early race for good money and it’s nice to have something for a 3-year-old that’s ready early, like The Isle Of Pan, and have the opportunity to make money because you don’t know if she might get a little tired by the end of the Sire Stakes season come September.”

The two colt and two filly eliminations each carry a $10,000 purse. Nine advancing colts and fillies will all return to Tioga Downs for the finals of their respective divisions on Sunday, May 27.

This is the first year for the Empire Breeders Classic, which will amount to more than $600,000 in additional purses for New York-nominated pacers and trotters. The events are sponsored by Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and stallion owners, along with additional added money from the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

The strong 13-race card on Sunday will feature nearly $130,000 in purses and has attracted some of the top drivers in the country, including leading Meadowlands reinsmen George Brennan, David Miller and Yannick Gingras, top Buffalo Raceway driver Jim Morrill, Jr., and Stephane Bouchard, who leads the driving colony at Yonkers Raceway.