Tioga Downs will host some of the best sophomore pacers the country will likely see in 2011 on Sunday afternoon in Nichols, New York

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Headlining the names for the three-year old colt and gelding pacers are freshman standouts Feel Like A Fool, Fashion Delight, Roadside Delight and Sir Ziggys Z Tam, all of which drew in the first of two divisions.

Feel Like A Fool prepared for the eliminations last weekend at Tioga Downs by winning the lone division of the John F. Simpson stakes by more than ten lengths over a sloppy track in 1:54. Although Feel Like A Fool will have his work cut out for him this weekend as Fashion Delight (David Miller) who banked more than $510,000 in 2010 finished his prep last week at the Meadowlands winning a qualifier in 1:52.3 with a final panel of :28 for trainer Jim Campbell.

Roadside Delight got his first start of 2011 under his belt last Sunday at Chester and finished second to Valentino pacing his mile in 1:50.3 for trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman. Also joining some of the freshman standouts in the first division is a newcomer to the spotlight, American Arena (Simon Allard) for trainer Noel Daley. A perfect three-for-three this year, American Arena won last week at the Meadowlands from the nine hole in 1:52.1. However, the post position draw was once again not on his side as he has drawn post nine for Sunday’s elimination.

Leading the way for the ladies is last year’s Dan Patch Award Winner, See You At Peelers. Undefeated in her career, See You At Peelers was a perfect thirteen for thirteen in 2010 and took home the NYSS Final and Breeders’ Crown while banking more than $580,000 for trainer Jimmy Takter. Takter has entrusted the newly assigned driving duties to his son in law, Marcus Johansson, after he qualified the filly twice at The Meadowlands. In her most recent qualifier See You At Peelers was a wire to wire winner in 1:52.2, she has drawn post position number three in the first of two divisions for three-year old filly pacers.

Below are the fields for Sunday’s EBC Eliminations:

Race 8:
$12,500 Empire Breeders’ Classic Elimination
Three-year old colt & gelding pacers
PP
1. Roadside Delight
2. Major Way
3. Sir Ziggys Z Tam
4. Feel Like A Fool
5. Nukes Art
6. Bombay Away
7. Townslight Hanover
8. Fashion Delight
9. American Arena

Race 12:
$12,500 Empire Breeders’ Classic Elimination:
Three-year old colt & gelding pacers
PP
1. Mosee Terror
2. Upfront Missys Boy
3. Samandar
4. Flipper J
5. Fantaddy
6. Bettor’s Green
7. Mats Delight
8. Lucky Cadet
9. Sir Jonathan Z Tam

Race 6:
$12,500 Empire Breeders’ Classic Elimination:
Three-year old filly pacers
PP
1. Miss Annie J
2. Swinging Beauty
3. See You At Peelers
4. Character Flaw
5. Sight To See
6. JK Geronimo
7. Whats New Pussy Cat
8. Winbak Corazon

Race 10:
$12,500 Empire Breeders’ Classic Elimination:
Three-year old filly pacers
PP
1. My Girls A Star
2. Dreamlands Roxy
3. New Album
4. Song In A Major
5 . Southwind Jazmin
6. Asteria Blue Chip
7. Shyaway
8. Some Girls Do

Post time for Sunday’s thirteen race card is set for 1:30 p.m. and will once again feature Tioga’s $10,000 guaranteed Pick Six on the final six races of the day.

(Tioga Downs)