Tioga and Vernon Downs will again host the $1 million (est.) Empire Breeders Classic for New York-sired three-year-old pacers and trotters this summer.

Sustaining payments for the 2023 races, nomination payments for foals of 2021 to race in 2024 and the stallion eligibility payment on foals of 2022 to race in 2025 are all due (postmarked by) March 15.

The 2023 EBC will be raced as it has been for the past three years, a single event with no eliminations scheduled and the race will be divided with the purse and entry fee split equally by the number of divisions. 

This year, the EBC trotting stakes will be raced at Vernon Downs on Friday, June 16 while the pacers are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27 at Tioga.

The EBC was conceived in 2007 by Jeff Gural to provide New York-bred sophomores an opportunity to race in a high dollar, state-restricted stake. Over the subsequent 17 seasons, more than $15 million in purses have been distributed to those N.Y. breds that have competed in the stake.

The purse is funded by an annual grant from the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, Tioga and Vernon Downs stakes purse accounts and N.Y. stallion owners along with the payments made by the connections of competing horses.

The nomination form and all other pertinent information may be found on the track's website. Questions should be directed to 607-972-5500.

(Tioga)