Strong performances in $450,000 Empire Breeders Classics

Huntinthelastdolar (Huntsville) asserted his superiority leading five rivals on a futile chase while winning the $117,750 Empire Breeders Classic for sophomore pacing colts and geldings in harness racing action from Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 27).

In rein to Wally Hennessey, Huntinthelastdolar made it known leaving the gate that his intent was to take no prisoners while trying to take his fifth New York Sires Stakes win in six starts. He seated his five foes and led them through reasonable fractions of :27.3 and :56.4.

Heading to the three-quarter pole, the pace accelerated as Tickertape Hanover (Dexter Dunn) made the first move to challenge the leader, with Peppermint Man (Matt Kakaley) lurking in the pocket and It’s A Me Mario (Lauren Tritton) following cover second over.

But Huntinthelastdolar threw a 27.0 third quarter at them and followed it up with a 27.1 kicker to prevail by a comfortable length in 1:51.0 over Peppermint Man. It was two lengths back to Huntinthelastdolar, with Blue Hunt closing for fourth.

Huntinthelastdolar was taking his fifth win in seven starts this year for Brad Grant, George Kerr and Gregg McNair of Ontario. McNair also trains. He raised his lifetime earnings to just over $345,000. He paid $3.10 as the favorite.

HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR REPLAY

The second $119,000 division went to another wire-to-wire winner in even money favorite Thunder Hunter Joe (Huntsville), who was sent on a speed mission by driver Tyler Buter and prevailed in 1:50.3.

Thunder Hunter Joe led unstressed as he cut solid early fractions of :27.2 and :55.2. Tack Room Chatter (Dexter Dunn) was first to pull but as they headed to the three-quarter pole, his rally fizzled, and Goldin Greatness (Jason Bartlett) took up the chase followed by Metal Man (Matt Kakaley).

The three-quarters was stepped off in a snappy 1:22.3 as Buter grabbed a couple of lengths with Thunder Hunter Joe and that would be the winning move as he held Goldin Greatness safe by a length in 1:50.3. It was a neck back to Metal Man. Taste of Honey (Jordan Stratton) finished fourth.

Thunder Hunter Joe, who was winless in five starts at two, has now taken wins in six of nine starts this year for trainer Nicholas Devita. He has now earned close to $269,000 for owners David Hamm, and Glenn Phillips of Delaware and Christopher Giaccio and Devita Racing Stable Inc. of New York.

THUNDER HUNTER JOE REPLAY

In the first of two $107,000 divisions of the Empire Classic for three-year-old pacing fillies, Vivans Dream (American Ideal) made two moves and prevailed in a thrilling stretch drive to notch a 6 to 1 upset.

Hennessey, who was winning his second Empire Classic, again set sail for the front and Vivians Dream quickly cleared to the lead at the start. True Blue Hanover (Jason Bartlett) dropped into the pocket with 1 to 2 favorite Southwind Bella (Jack Pelling) landing in third. They raced that was through the opening 1/4 in :27.2.

Pelling was not content with the three-hole, and he pulled his charge and sent her to the front prior to reaching the 1/2 in :56.0. Heading down the backstretch, longshot Light And Tight was sent to the outside, and under full acceleration, she forged to the front in 1:23.2. Meanwhile, Vivians Dream made her second move of the race to issue a challenge with both Sweet Cheyanne (Marcus Miller) and High Fashion Star (Jordan Stratton) also closing in.

In the sprint to the wire, Vivians Dream edged past the leader then held Swett Cheyanne safe by 1/2 length. It was a neck back to High Fashion Star, who sprinted up the passing lane to nab third, a nose better than Light And Tight.

Vivian’s Dream paid $15.10 to win as she was taking her second victory in 12 starts this year for owner Forrest Bartlett of North Carolina. The Kevin Lare trainee boosted her lifetime earnings to close to $579,000.

VIVIAN’S DREAM REPLAY

1 to 9 favorite, Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe) made it look easy in the second $107,000 Empire Classic fillies division, leading from shortly after the start to post an open length 1:51.3 win beating six overmatched state bred rivals.

Once Dexter Dunn cleared to the front with Twin B Joe Fresh, there was never an anxious moment as she led unchallenged through moderate fractions of 27.3, 57.2 and 1:25.4, the only outside action coming from longshot Silky Stride (Jordan Stratton), who tried a first-over move from fifth in the third quarter.

Twin B Joe Fresh laid down a :25.4 final 1/4 under a death grip from Dunn while pocket sitter Earthwindfire (Jack Pelling) followed in for second, well clear of Windsun Tiara (Mike Merton). Silky Stride hung on for fourth money.

Twin B Joe Fresh, who knocked off Sylvia Hanover (who hadn’t lost in 2023 to that point) in the Lynch Memorial last week, paid $2.10 across the board as the most prohibitive favorite in the Empire Classic. She has earned just under $965,000 for Dunn who co-owns with the filly’s trainer Chris Ryder and Peter Triboteca of New Jersey and Barry Spak of Pennsylvania.

TWIN B JOE FRESH REPLAY

Tioga Downs also played host to two division of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

Leanne’s choice (Marcus Miller) wins the $52,000 NYSS first division.

Leanne’s Choice ($18.00) won in 1:53.2.  Camerican (Jordan Stratton) finished second.  So Well Dressed (Matt Kakaley) was third best.

Leanne’s Choice is a filly by Courtly Choice-Village Madonna.  She is owned by Ron Michelon, Doug Overhiser and trainer Erv Miller.  It was her third career win.

Sea Pearl (Dexter Dunn) wins the $52,500 NYSS second division.

Sea Pearl ($7.60) won in a lifetime best of 1:54.4.  Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) was second.  Hunting Hula (Pat LaChance) finished third.

Sea Pearl is a filly by American Ideal-Lady Captain.  She is owned by Brittany Farms and trained by Linda Toscano.  It was her third career victory.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (September 2) starting at 6:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink