One was an upset winner and one had the race won when he entered. That’s the story for Bettor B Lucky who lived up to her name when she upset the heavily favoured Jimmy Takter entry of American Jewel and Romantic Moment to win the filly division of the Empire Breeders Classic. Heston Blue Chip, undefeated in New York Sires Stakes action this year, continued his dominance while breaking his own track record to win the colt final.
Bettor B Lucky, a three-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight and Hornby Lucky, left from post two with driver Jim Morrill Jr. and secured the three-hole behind the favoured Takter entry of American Jewel and Romantic Moment. The race seemed to go American Jewel’s way while she cruised through fractions of :26.2, :56, and 1:24.1.
The first over challenger Handsoffmycookie never advanced past fourth on the outside, which allowed the front three to separate a little and battle it out late. Halfway around the last turn Romantic Moment tipped out from the two-hole trip to challenge stablemate American Jewel while the Ron Burke-trained 18-1 shot Bettor B Lucky tipped off that cover.
American Jewel tired late and Romantic Moment and Bettor B Lucky duelled to the wire with Bettor B Lucky coming out on top in 1:50, a new lifetime mark. Romantic Moment finished second while stablemate American Jewel ended up third.
Bettor B Lucky raised her lifetime earnings to just over $300,000. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, W. J. Donovan, and Lawrence Karr.
Heston Blue Chip continued his supremacy of New York bred pacers with a dominating win.
Sent forward from post position two, driver Tim Tetrick moved the Linda Toscano-trained three-year-old to the front in :26.4. After leading the field past the half in :55, Tetrick stepped on the gas and Heston Blue Chip responded with a :26.2 third panel to trip the three-quarter pole in 1:21.2.
First over challenger Breakin The Law was able to get to the wheel of Tetrick at the three-quarter pole, but he would get no closer as Heston Blue Chip proceeded to open up on the field winning by a handy three and a quarter lengths in a new three-year-old track record and lifetime mark of 1:48.4. Breakin The Law hung on for second while Bet On The Law finished third.
“He’s super to drive and has a ton of speed," said Tetrick after the win. "He’s a tough horse and when you get him in gear he can go a long way.”
The $30,000 American Ideal-Shot Togo Bluechip yearling has been a blessing for owner Ken Jacobs.
“I bought this horse from Bluechip," said Jacobs. "I make a couple trips there a year to look over the yearlings and this was the one I picked out. I was glad to win this race. Jeff [Gural] has done so much for racing and Tioga is the marquee place for racing as far as I’m concerned."
The win was the 19th in 22 career starts for Heston Blue Chip, pushing him over three-quarters of a million dollars for his life.
Also on Sunday’s card were three EBC undercard races. The first of two colt divisions was won by Fireyourguns (Morrill) in a new lifetime mark of 1:51. The second division was won by Ideal Griff (Morrill) in 1:52.2. The filly final also had an upset winner with 31-1 Abrokenart Hanover (Morrill) taking it in 1:54.2.
Jim Morrill Jr., the king of the NYSS, won five races on the card including four of the five Empire Breeders Classic races.
Tioga returns to action Monday night with a special 6 p.m. post. Four divisions of NYSS two-year-old colt trotters take the stage as well as six divisions of the Excelsior series.
(With files from Tioga Downs)