Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs will play host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both sophomore trotting colts & geldings and fillies on Friday (June 12) at a special post time of 12:15 p.m.
Spencer Hanover (Jason Bartlett) will be the one to beat in the $176,530 EBC for 3-year-old colts & geldings. The colt by Chapter Seven was a Breeders Crown champion as a freshman. As a sophomore he is three for three, including winning the Oak Grove Derby and a leg of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) at Vernon Downs.
The Ron Burke trained AI (Tyler Buter) could be his major competition. The colt by Chapter Seven is still searching for his first win of 2026. He had a five-win freshman campaign including a win in the NYSS final.
The 2-1 morning line favorite in the $195,020 EBC for fillies is Nezuko Kamado S (Scott Zeron). Last year, she won the inaugural Big Apple Final for 2-year-olds. She is one-for-one this season with a NYSS win at Vernon Downs. The filly by Chapter Seven is trained by Marcus Melander.
Six-time winner Sharp Seven (Jeff Gregory) and 2025 Breeders Crown champion Storybook Love (Todd Ratchford) are major contenders. Both are Chapter Seven fillies. Sharp Seven is trained by George Ducharme. Storybook Love is trained by Matthew Bax.
Vernon will also feature a 121,800 leg of the NYSS for 3-year-old pacing colts & geldings. Knoxville (Tyler Buter) and Unmatched Wisdom (Leon Bailey) are the top two morning choices. They both have a NYSS win this season.
Knoxville is a colt by Huntsville and trained by Ray Schnittker. Chuck Connor Jr. trains Unmatched Wisdom, a gelding by American Ideal.
First post for the 13 race-card starts at 12:15 p.m.