Empire Breeders Classics at Tioga Sunday

The Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) will showcase the best New York bred sophomore harness racing pacers Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs. Both the filly and colt stakes split into divisions with each of the four stakes racing for just into six figures.

Legendary Hanover (Huntsville), the fastest pacing colt of 2024 by virtue of his electrifying 1:46.2 Cane Pace win, a Meadowlands track record, that came hot on the heels of his stakes record 1:46.3 Meadowlands Pace win takes on state-bred company for the first time this year in his $105,750 EBC division (race 10).

His season has consisted of facing the Grand Circuit types from Ontario through New Jersey and acquitting himself as the best in the division to this point for owners Erik Good, West Winds Stable and Mark Dumain. Tony Beaton trains the colt and Canada’s top driver James MacDonald is along for the ride.

“Legendary” is not in by himself however, as both Boston Rocks and Huntingforchrome have been in the trenches of the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) sharpening their game in anticipation of the big money coming over the next few weeks.

Howlenthehills (American Ideal) and driver Matt Kakaley were a mere half a length from perfection in his eleven 2024 tries, coming up just that short in the Messenger Pace final. After a winless campaign at two, Howlenthehills is unbeaten against state-bred competition while amassing $338,600 this year for owner Symmetry Stables and trainer Travis Alexander. Howlenthehills catches the weaker of the splits (race 8) with Escape To America the main obstacle between him and the lion’s share of the $104,500 prize.

The EBC fillies go for $108,000 in each division, and Chris Ryder is sitting on a big hand in both as he has been all summer with his potent pair of Peace Talks (race 3) and Tarrific (race 6). Top NYSS reinsman Jason Bartlett scheduled to drive both.

Peace Talks (American Ideal) has collected over $162,000 for owners Henderson Farms, Jeff Bell, FAC Racing and Bob Mondillo on the strength of two wins in nine starts this year. The filly is also the NYSS defending champion for this division.

Tarrific has the championship gene, by New York’s top sire Huntsville from Road Bet who has produced the winners of $3.5 million with three (including Tarrific) sub 1:50 performers including world champ Cattlewash and the iron tough Niki Hill (also campaigned by Ryder). Winless at age two, Tarrific has lived up to her blue blood at three, winning half of her eight seasonal starts while earning $156,515 and must be considered at the very top of the class. Margaret Dey and Let It Ride Stables share ownership.

NYSS for freshman pacing colts heads up the under card of 16 races with one NYSS division going as a 12:45 non betting affair.

And, just when it looked as though things just couldn’t get any better, it’s Corntastic weekend, too.

First post at Tioga on Sunday is 1:00.

Free programs and handicapping hints are available on the web.

by Nick Salvi, for Tioga Downs