The cream of the New York-sired sophomore trotting colt crop will gather at Vernon Downs this Friday night (June 9) to contest the eliminations for the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC).
Vernon’s racing secretary, Scott Warren, took 13 declarations which have been separated into a pair of $12,500 elimination races, which have been carded as the fourth and sixth dashes on the program.
Race 4 will feature a powerful field of six, led by an entry from the Julie Miller barn. Money MacIntosh (PP1, Andy Miller), owned in part by Julie with partner Natalia Stroy as Stroy, Inc., won over $150,000 on the circuit at two on the strength of five victories. He had a start at Vernon last week, finishing fourth in the NYSS raced on Memorial Day. His entrymate is Legendary Standardbred's homebred Top Flight Angel (PP4, Marcus Miller) who will be driven by Marcus Miller on Friday.
The Millers will also send out the early favourite for Division 2 in the winner of last season's NYSS final, Devious Man (PP2, Andy Miller). The half brother to 2005 Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo made over $300,000 as a freshman and was a 1:53.3 winner in his 2017 debut against sires stakes company. He is owned by Stroy Inc. and the Andy Miller Stable, Julie trains and Andy will drive.
The top four from each elimination and one fifth-place finisher chosen by lot will return on Sunday, June 18 for the $252,000 final.
The $228,250 EBC filly race had 10 declare and required no eliminations. They will race on the same June 18 card and are listed below in post position order for that race.
1 – Maewegonow
2 – Celebrity Ruth
3 – Sunshine Delight
4 – Ostrich Blue Chip
5 – Amber Ella
6 – Mamora Bay
7 – Heels On Wheels
8 – Stars N Sparkles
9 – Barn Bella
10 – Chapter Too
The supporting card is composed of three divisions of NYSS for three-year-old filly pacers and the accompanying Excel races.
Post time for the card is 6:45 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)