The Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) pacers invade Tioga Downs on Sunday, Aug. 27 featuring the finest New York-sired sophomore performers.
Spread over four races, entries required two divisions for each sex. The colts come up first in the sixth race for a purse of $117,750. Huntinthelastdolar has the favourite's role off his sparkling 1:50.2 win right here at Tioga last week for Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey. The gelded son of Huntsville has won six of 15 lifetime starts for trainer Gregg McNair and partners George Kerr and Brad Grant who own the winner of more than $304,270 in his career.
Goldin Greatness (Jason Bartlett), another altered son of top sire Huntsville, is the choice in the second $119,000 colt division. He followed Huntinthelastdolar home last week to be second and has collected more than $100,000 with a four-for-10 record this season for trainer Chris Ryder and partners Bill Ezzo, Evan Katz, Joe Sbrocco and John Fodera as JAF Racing.
Ryder will also bring along his prized pacing filly Twin B Joe Fresh (pictured above) and she will be heavily favoured to win her division of the $107,000 filly stake. The daughter of Roll With Joe has been invincible in the NY regional program spaced between her Grand Circuit engagements. Twin B Joe Fresh is currently razor sharp and quickly approaching $1 million in career earnings for the partnership of Ryder along with her driver Dexter Dunn, constant companion Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak.
Southwind Bella has been a force in the program this season for trainer Brett Pelling and driver, his son Jack. The Huntsville filly has been on the board in all 10 starts of her seasonal starts for owner Thaddeus Wier and the path to the winner's circle on Sunday appears to go through her.
The undercard feature is the NYSS for freshman pacing fillies, possibly a preview of next season's EBC contestants.
First post time is 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
(Tioga Downs)