Big Stick Lindy, Shaq Is Back, Impressive Kemp and Southwind Samurai were divisional winners in Saturday night’s preliminary divisions of the Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs

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The favoured Big Stick Lindy earned his second win in three season’s starts with a career best 1:55.4 decision in the first elimination test for male high-steppers. Trainer Ray Schnittker drove the bay son of Conway Hall-Peace A Pie to his fifth career triumph. Schnittker owns the capable colt along with Steve Arnold, Jerry Silva and K R Breeding, LLC.

Schnittker also teamed Shaq Is Back, who was placed from second to first in the other male clash, after track record-holder Whata Winner was moved from first to second by the judges after having been found guilty of a Eurorail violation in the stretch. It was the second tally in three current outings for the pre-race pick. The bay son of Credit Winner-Vivica Hall is conditioned by Schnittker and owned by the Givemethecredit Stable.

Impressive Kemp, who opened eyes with a divisional score in last Saturday’s John F. Simpson Memorial Stake at Vernon, dropped her speed mark to 1:56.l and remained unbeaten after two current appearances with a 1:56.l victory in the first female flight. Michael Vanderkemp drove for trainer Noel Daley as the brown daughter of Credit Winner-Emilie Cas El raced on the front end throughout most of the mile and won by three lengths for owner Jean Edward Cloutier.

With Pat Berry steering for trainer Bjorn Noren, Southwind Samurai recorded the fastest trotting mile of the night, a 1:55.3 triumph in the final filly contest. It proved a pleasant start to the season for the bay daughter of Conway Hall-Southwind Seasons, who earned a new speed mark and her third career victory for owner Scuderia Giuliano.

Stettin Hanover, piloted by defending dash-winning champ Jimmy Whittemore, became a three-time winner at the meet after toughing out a head verdict over the Schnittker-handled Toughofthetoughest in Saturday’s $9,100 Class A Miracle Mile handicap pace. Lonny Hale conditions the eight-year-old glelding for the Hale Storm Stable.

Dave Dewhurst chalked up four training tallies during Saturday’s 12-race card, while current leading driver Josh Marks and Whittemore each registered hat tricks during the meet’s 14th program.

Vernon’s scheduled program for Thursday, May 27 has been changed to Thursday, June 3, which was previously listed as a dark day at the Downs. Vernon will offer live harness competition on Friday and Saturday next weekend, with first post at 6:55 p.m.

The top four finishers, plus one fifth-place finisher, drawn by lot, will qualify for the $500,000 (est.) Empire Breeders Classic divisional finals at Vernon Downs on Memorial Day afternoon, May 31. First post will be at 1:15 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)