Favourites were defeated in both of Monday afternoon’s Empire Breeders Classic finals at Vernon Downs, as the seven-eighths of a mile oval played host to

sophomore trotters in those rich tilts.

Strong Hope used a strong stretch kick for driver Ron Pierce to haul down Whata Winner in the colt and gelding division in a career-best clocking of 1:55.2. Whata Winner laid down panels of :26.3, :56.1 and 1:26.1 before getting picked off in the final strides by Strong Hope, who was sent off as a 15-1 outsider. Third prize went to the odds-on favourite, Big Stick Lindy.

Noel Daley conditions the homebred son of CR Excalibur-Spring Lane Joanie for Winbak Farm of Chesapeake Farm of Chesapeake City, MD. It was the first win of the season and just the second lifetime tally for the colt who upped his earnings to $187,599 with the win.

Southwind Samurai went coast-to-coast in the $234,900 Empire Breeder’s Classic for the fillies. With Pat Berry at the lines, the daughter of Conway Hall-Southwind Seasons sliced out splits of :26.4, :57.3 and 1:26.4 en route to the 1:54.4 score over the odds-on favourite, Impressive Kemp, and To Lindys Credit.

The Bernie Noren trainee is now 2-for-2 this season after putting together a 2-4-0 record in 11 starts as a rookie. The youngster, who is owned by Scuderia S Giuliano of Comp Benzo, IT, lifted her lifetime earnings to $207,361 with the victory.