Tioga Downs hosted the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both three-year-old colts and geldings as well as the three-year-old fillies on Sunday, Aug. 27.
Huntinthelastdolar ($3.10), driven by Wally Hennessey, was a gate-to-wire winner in the $117,750 EBC first division for pacing colts and geldings.
Huntinthelastdolar charged right to the front and led to the quarter in :27.3. He used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.4. Tickertape Hanover (Dexter Dunn) went first-up to challenge going down the backstretch. Huntinthelastdolar was first to three-quarters in 1:23.4. As they reached the stretch, Huntinthelastdolar powered home with a :27.1 final quarter and cruised to a 1:51.1 victory. Peppermint Man (Matt Kakaley) finished second with Tickertape Hanover settling for third.
Huntinthelastdolar is a gelding by Huntsville. He is owned by George Kerr, Brad Grant and trainer Gregg McNair. It was his fifth win this season in seven starts and he now owns seven career victories.
Thunder Hunter Joe ($4) and driver Tyler Buter captured the $119,000 EBC second division for pacing colts and geldings.
Thunder Hunter Joe went to the front-end early and led to the first quarter in :27.2. He used a 28-second quarter to take the field to the half :55.2. He cruised to three-quarters first in 1:22.3. As the field turned for home, eventual second-place finisher Goldin Greatness (Jason Bartlett) and third-place finisher Metal Man (Matt Kakaley) both made late bids in the stretch, however, Thunder Hunter Joe held on by a length at the line to earn the victory in 1:50.3.
Thunder Hunter Joe is a gelding by Huntsville. He is trained by Nicholas Devita for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, Chris Giaccio and Devita Racing Stables. He has earned all six of his career wins this season from nine sophomore starts.
Vivians Dream ($15) and Wally Hennessey scored in a wild finish to take the $107,000 EBC first division for pacing fillies.
Vivians Dream took the field to the opening quarter in :27.2. Southwind Bella (Jack Pelling) then took her turn on the lead with a circuit to go and led to the half in :56. Light And Tight (Dexter Dunn) then brushed from fourth and took control just before hitting three-quarters in 1:23.2. As the fillies made the turn for home, Vivians Dream made her move first-over as Sweet Cheyanne (Marcus Miller) came flying on the outside and High Fashion Star (Jordan Stratton) found an opening on the inside to make it four across the track. Vivians Dream was not to be denied and scored the victory by a half-length in 1:52. Sweet Cheyanne finished second and Light And Tight held for the third spot.
Vivians Dream is a filly by American Ideal. She is owned by Forrest Bartlett and trained by Kevin Lare. The win was her second in 11 starts this year and her ninth victory overall.
Twin B Joe Fresh ($2.10) and driver Dexter Dunn cruised to an easy win in the $107,000 EBC second division for pacing fillies.
Twin B Joe Fresh immediately went to the front off the gate and was first to the quarter in :27.3. Earthwindfire (Jack Pelling), who had yet to taste defeat in her three-year-old campaign, followed in the pocket. Twin B Joe Fresh backed the pace down in the second quarter, reaching the half in :57.3. She continued to have things her way on the front to three-quarters in 1:25.4. As they made the turn for home, Twin B Joe Fresh had plenty in the tank, unleashing a :25.4 final quarter on her way to win easily in 1:51.3. Earthwindfire finished second while Windsun Tiara (Mike Merton) rounded out the trifecta.
Twin B Joe Fresh is a filly by Roll With Joe. She is owned by Dunn, Peter Trebotica, Barry Spak and trainer Chris Ryder. It was her sixth win this season in nine starts. A winner of 14 races lifetime from 19 starts, she is approaching the million-dollar earnings mark.
Tioga Downs also played host to two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old pacing fillies.
Leannes Choice (Marcus Miller) prevailed in the $52,000 NYSS first division in 1:53.2. Camerican (Jordan Stratton) finished second and So Well Dressed (Matt Kakaley) was third best. Leannes Choice is a filly by Courtly Choice-Village Madonna. She is owned by Ron Michelon, Doug Overhiser and trainer Erv Miller. She paid $18 to win and it was the third win of her career.
Sea Pearl (Dexter Dunn) took home the $52,500 NYSS second division in a lifetime best of 1:54.4. Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) was second with Hunting Hula (Pat Lachance) third. Sea Pearl is a filly by American Ideal-Lady Captain. She is owned by Brittany Farms and trained by Linda Toscano. It was also her third career victory and she paid $7.60 to win.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday, Sept. 2 starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs; Photo, clockwise from top left, Huntinthelastdolar, Vivians Dream, Twin B Joe Fresh and Thunder Hunter Joe)