The Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) eliminations for sophomore colt and gelding pacers as well as their counterpart filly pacers were contested at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (August 13) as part of a 15-race card. There were also three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshman trotting fillies on the program.
In the first $12,500 elimination for colts and geldings, it was In A Single Bound ($5.70, Billy Dobson) who came out on top.
In A Single Bound led the field to the first quarter in :27.3 before the favourite, Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley), took over prior to the clubhouse turn. He controlled the pace all the way to the top of the stretch (:55.3, 1:23.4).
In A Single Bound, who is owned by Dennis and Simone Noud while trained by Monica Krist, popped out of the pocket and battled Miso Fast all they way down the stretch. Lunging late, In A Single Bound prevailed at the wire in 1:50.4 by a quarter-length. The son of Roll With Joe won for the eighth time in 11 starts as a three-year-old.
Miso Fast finished second and qualified for the finals. Outkast Blue Chip (David Miller) finished third and will also advance.
In the second elimination, Art Scene ($33.20, Scott Zeron) shocked the 1-9 favourite Funknwaffles (Corey Callahan).
Geez Joe (Brian Sears) laid down the first quarter time in :27.3 then Funknwaffles took control, hitting the half in :56 and three-quarters in 1:24.1. That is when Art Scene made his move going first-over.
Art Scene, who is owned by Brittany Farms, Alagna Racing, In The Gym Partners and Americam Art Stable, duelled the favourite in the stretch to win by a neck at the wire in 1:51.2. Trained by Tony Alagna, the three year-old American Ideal colt won for just the second time in his career while setting a lifetime-best mile.
Funknwaffles was second to qualify for the final and Music Is Art (Tim Tetrick) also qualified by finishing a neck back in third.
Heavens Gait ($4.40, David Miller) won the third elimination by four and a quarter lengths for trainer Nicholas Devita and owned John Cummins.
Uffizi (Tim Tetrick) carved out all the early fractions :27, :56.2 and 1:23.4 but the three-year-old started to fizzle out at the top of the stretch. Chip Walther (Brian Sears) took over command, but his lead was short-lived as Heavens Gait blew right by to win in 1:50.4. The Rock N Roll Heaven colt paid $4.40 and won for ninth time in his career.
Chip Walther finished second Talent Soup (Brett Miller) came on for third to move on to the final.
On the filly side, the first elimination went to the Canadian-campaigned Clear Idea ($3.10, Mark MacDonald).
Clear Idea, who is owned by Huff Racing Stable and Ontario trainer Blake MacIntosh, went gate-to-wire with fractions of :27.1, :56.4, 1:24.3 and 1:52. The American Ideal filly won for the seventh straight time but it wasn't easy. Roaring To Go (Brett Miller) snuck up on the inside and fell short by just a neck. Clear Idea earned her 10th career win.
The other qualifiers were Obvious Blue Chip (Scott Zeron), who finished third, Gurl Band K (Tim Tetrick), fourth, and Ameraway (Corey Callahan) finished fifth and won the wild-card pick.
The second elimination went to the favourite Tequila Monday ($2.70, Brian Sears).
Tequila Monday took the lead just after the :27 first quarter and then cruised through middle splits of :55.4 and 1:23.1 en route to a two and a quarter length victory in 1:51. The American Ideal miss is owned by North Fork Racing Stable with Chuck Pompey and trained by Chris Oakes.
Tequila Monday won for the sixth time this season and the 10th time in her career.
The other qualifiers were American Sara (Scott Zeron), Shepulledthegoalie (David Miller) and Candlelight Dinner (Brett Miller), who finished second through fourth.
In NYSS action, undefeated Plunge Blue Chip ($3.20, Ake Svanstedt) set the track record for two-year-old trotting fillies in the $37,966 third division.
Entry mate Fury Road (Mark MacDonald) led after a first quarter of :28.4. Plunge Blue Chip took over as they went past the stands for the first time. The Muscle Mass filly then controlled the rest of the race with fractions of :58.2, 1:26.2 and 1:55.1. She eclipsed the track record by one-fifth of a second.
Lucky Rainbow (David Miller) was second-best while Atlanta (Rick Zeron) settled for third.
Plunge Blue Chip is owned Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and trainer Svanstedt. She is now four-for-four as a freshman trotter.
In the first division of the NYSS, big longshot and first-time starter Setntheworldonfire (Troy Beyer) was victorious in 1:57.1.
Setntheworldonfire, who is owned by Bridle Path Stables and trainer Noel Daley, made a three-wide move in the stretch to nip A Gift For You (Tim Tetrick) at the wire. The Muscles Yankee daughter paid $130 to win.
Big Checkmate (Donald Dupont) finished third after taking the lead past the :27.4 quarter mark and leading through panels of :58 and 1:27.3.
The other NYSS division winner was White Cheetah ($33.80, Mark MacDonald).
After the big favuorite Seven Karats (Tim Tetrick) went on a break, Perfect Summer K (Brian Sears) controlled all the early fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:27.1. However, White Cheetah (Muscle Mass-Wheely Quick) went three-wide at the top of the stretch and looked like a cheetah as she blew by to win in 1:57.4. Perfect Summer K finished one length behind in second and Jackie Newlands (Scott Zeron) was third.
White Cheetah ($33.80) is owned by Joe Sbrocco, Stable 45 and trainer Paul Kelley. The Muscle Mass filly won for the first time in four starts.
The Empire Breeders Classic finals were drawn on Sunday and the fields are listed below in post position order.
$268,100 EBC Colt/Gelding Final
1. In A Single Bound
2. Heavens Gait
3. Art Scene
4. Miso Fast
5. Music Is Art
6. Chip Walther
7. Talent Soup
8. Outkast Blue Chip
9. Funknwaffles
$262,850 EBC Filly Final
1. Tequila Monday
2. Clear Idea
3. Obvious Blue Chip
4. American Sara
5. Candlelight Dinner
6. Ameriway
7. Roaring To Go
8. Shepulledthegoalie
9. Gurl Band K
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Monday (August 14) with an 11-race card starting at 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)