The 2022 Empire Breeders Classics (EBC) were brought to you by the letter J as Joviality S and Justice captured the EBC races at Vernon Downs on Friday (June 17). 

Joviality S ($2.10) simply dominated the $187,500 EBC for three-year-old trotting fillies. 

Valentina Blu (Andrew McCarthy) went to the front and led to the quarter in :27.  Joviality S (Brian Sears) made her move as they headed to the backstretch going first-up and taking control just before hitting the half in :55.4.  She glided to three-quarters in 1:23.1. 

As they made the turn for home Joviality S just took off.  Bare My Soul (Scott Zeron) started moving up late but she could only watch as Joviality S won in a lifetime mark of 1:51.  She was just two-fifths off the track record set by Atlanta.  Bare My Soul had to settle for second money as Valentina Blu held on to finish third. 

Joviality S is a filly by Chapter Seven.  She is owned by Courant Inc., and trained by Marcus Melander.  She is three-for-three in 2022, good for 12 wins in 15 career starts.  With the win, she surpassed the million-dollar mark in career earnings, 

Justice ($10.60) throttled late to win in the $187,500 EBC for sophomore trotting colts and geldings. 

Slay (Tim Tetrick) was able to get by Branded By Lindy (Yannick Gingras) just before hitting the first quarter in :27.3.  He used a :28.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1.  Justice (Ake Svanstedt) came first-over from fourth and battled neck and neck with Slay all around the final turn.  Slay was first to three-quarter in 1:24.3.   

As they reached the stretch Justice wrestled the lead away.  Branded By Lindy was locked in the box and needed racing room badly.  Cool Papa Bell (Brian Sears) came flying late on the outside as Branded By Lindy finally squeezed inside for an opening but it was too late as Justice prevailed in 1:53.3.  Branded by Lindy finished second as Cool Papa Bell had to settle for third. 

Justice is a three-year-old colt by Chapter Seven.  He is owned by Little E LLC., Torbjorn Swahn, Myfab Stables Inc., and trainer Ake Svanstedt.  It was his second win this season, with five career victories in total.     

On the EBC undercard, Gotthegreenlight (Jason Bartlett) and A Girl That Twirls (Sears) picked up New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) wins. 

Gotthegreenlight ($3.70) was a gate-to-wire winner in the $60,300 NYSS first division for three-year-old pacing fillies, stopping the clock at 1:51.3.  Patsville (Tyler Buter) finished second as Kele Kele (Mark MacDonald) took home third money. 

Gotthegreenlight is a three-year-old filly by American Ideal.  She is trained by Richard 'Nifty' Norman for owners Patricia Stable and Kovach Stables.  It was her second win this season, and she now has 10 career victories. 

A Girl That Twirls ($16.40) came flying late to win the NYSS second division in a lifetime best of 1:52.  Lee Loo (Tim Tetrick) was second best as Valar Dohaeris (Svanstedt) finished third. 

A Girl That Twirls is a three-year-old filly by American Ideal.  She is owned by D Racing Stable and trained by Deborah Daguet.  She is now three-for-three in 2022, with seven career victories. 

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 18).  Post time for the nine-race card is 6:05 p.m.   

(Vernon)