In 2014, Michael Pozefsky watched a horse he bred – Resolve – race in the Hambletonian Stakes. This year, he hopes to watch a horse he bred and owns compete in the $1 million event. Pozefsky and Edward Wilson bred The Royal Harry, who on Sunday races in the $222,975 Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old male trotters at Vernon Downs in upstate New York.

The colt, whose family includes two Hambletonian winners and a Hambletonian Oaks champion, is now owned by Pozefsky and his brother, William.

The Royal Harry has won two of six career races, has hit the board a total of five times, and has earned $32,030 in purses. He has a win and a second-place finish this season. His victory came in 1:55.1 in a conditioned race June 10 at Vernon Downs. He was second to Sir Royson in his first start, which came in a division of the New York Sire Stakes at Tioga Downs. Sir Royson, the 5-2 morning line favourite in the Empire Breeders Classic, won by a half-length in 1:54.

“He won against a lesser crew at Vernon last week, but we just needed another race to try to be ready for this week,” Pozefsky said. “His first start, it was a good line, but he got a good trip and he got a good drive. I wasn’t expecting to go that much, but he did, which was terrific.”

The Royal Harry, trained by Ake Svanstedt, raced only four times last season. He had a win and two second-place finishes, but was shut down in early October to prepare for this year.

“He was a big colt,” Pozefsky said. “Instead of rushing him into it, the Svanstedt Stable decided to bring him along at a slower pace, which was fine with us. We had higher hopes, but he got to a point where he was going about the same and we decided to bring him back as a three-year-old and hope that he improved substantially. It appears he has, but we’ll know a lot more about that after the Breeders Classic.”

Wilson and Pozefsky bred and raced The Royal Harry’s dam, Wilsonator, who enjoyed success on the Ontario circuit and finished fourth in the 2010 Breeders Crown for three-year-old filly trotters. The family also includes Hambletonian winners Emilys Pride and Spencer Scott and Hambletonian Oaks champion Keystone Pioneer.

Pozefsky and Wilson also shared the breeding credit for Resolve, who finished fifth in the 2014 Hambletonian. The two breeders take turns naming their horses and Wilson named The Royal Harry, a son of RC Royalty, after Pozefsky’s son Harry, who is now 29.

The Royal Harry was put through the Standardbred Horse Sale in 2014, where the Pozefskys bought back the yearling for $100,000.

“He’s just part of the family,” Pozefsky said. “We liked him a lot. It was kind of an easy decision. The dam was a fine mare and this is her second foal. Her first foal (Muscle Hill-sired Hillsonator) is racing well in Canada.”

The Royal Harry is one of two Hambletonian eligible horses in the Empire Breeders Classic, along with George Ducharme-trained Reve Royale. Pozefsky hopes The Royal Harry can continue to make strides and find himself at the Meadowlands on August 6 for the Hambletonian.

“He’s got to find some real additional time,” Pozefsky said, “but surely that’s the dream.”

The Royal Harry will start the Empire Breeders Classic from Post 1 with Mark MacDonald in the sulky. He is 5-1 on the morning line. Svanstedt will drive Dexter Cup winner Dante, who is 9-2 early from Post 9.

Sir Royson will start from Post 7 with Jim Marohn Jr. driving for trainer Linda Toscano and owner R-And-I Farms. A homebred son of Crazed-Leibovitz Hanover, Sir Royson has won five of nine career races and earned $84,722.

Sunday’s card at Vernon Downs also features the $234,375 Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old female trotters. The entry of Earn Your Wings and Straight A Student is the 2-1 morning line favourite. Earn Your Wings, from the stable of trainer Anette Lorentzon, and Straight A Student, from the stable of trainer Paul Kelley, are coupled because of common ownership.

This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.