Ahundreddollarbill golden in Empire Breeders Classic

Harness racing track Vernon Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for sophomore trotting colts and geldings as well as two divisions for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Friday (June 18). Andrew McCarthy wins two of the three races.

McCarthy piloted Ahundreddollarbill ($3.60) to an impressive victory in the $205,500 EBC for trotting colts and geldings.

Ambassador Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) left from his outside post to grab the early lead. His stablemate Incommunicado (Yannick Gingras) took over the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :27.0. Incommunicado used a :29.4 second quarter to hit the half in :56.4. Ahundreddollarbill made his move first-up from third going around the final turn. Incommunicado held a narrow lead as he hit three-quarters first in 1:26.0.

As they made the turn for home Ahundreddollarbill turned on the after burners as they went down the stretch. Incommunicado just couldn’t keep up. As they reached mid-stretch it was all Ahundreddollarbill as he won easily in 1:53.2. Ambassador Hanover came up to finish second best. Incommunicado had to settle for third.

AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL REPLAY

Ahundreddollarbill is a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven. He is trained by Tony Alagna for owners Crawford Farms Racing and James Crawford IV. The gelding if three for three in 2021. He now has five career wins.

Iteration (Brian Sears) is supreme in the $102,500 first division of the EBC for trotting fillies.

Contested Hanover (Scott Zeron) took the lead and led to the first quarter in :27.0. Iteration ($2.80) made her move popping out of the pocket and getting the lead at the top of the back stretch. She was first to the half in :56.4. She continued to control things by leading to three-quarters in 1:25.0. As they reached the stretch Contested Hanover and Moni For Lindy (Wally Hennessey) both went all out on the chase but Iteration had plenty in the tank and won in a lifetime best of 1:53.1. Contested Hanover ran a great race to finish second. Moni For Lindy got third money.

ITERATION REPLAY

Iteration is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. The filly is owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander. She is two for two as a sophomore. She now owns seven career victories. She wins the EBC just like her brother Gimpanzee did a couple years ago at Vernon.

Darlene Hanover (McCarthy) holds off late charge by Sweeping Rainbow (David Miller) to capture the $102,500 second division of the EBC for trotting fillies.

Soukup Blue Chip (Andy Miller) jumped out to the early late. Sweeping Rainbow took command and hit the first quarter first in :28.2. Darlene Hanover ($4.40) made her move down the backstretch going first-over from third and zoomed by to lead to the half in :58.2. She was first to three-quarters in 1:27.2.

As they reached the stretch Sweeping Rainbow popped out of the pocket and the race was on. Sweeping Rainbow came charging as Darlene Hanover dug down deep and just held on to win in 1:54.3. Sweeping Rainbow settled for second best. Soukup Blue Chip finished third.

DARLENE HANOVER REPLAY

Darlene Hanover is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven. She is owned by Yankeeland Partners and trained by Brett Bittle. It was her first win in 2021. She now has five career victories

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 19) with an 11-race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs