Huntsville progeny sweep $465,000 Empire Breeders Classic finals

Tioga Downs played host to two harness racing divisions of the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both 3-year-old pacing colts & gelding as well as the fillies on Sunday (Aug 28).

The Claw (Huntsville, Jim Morrill Jr.) dominates the $122,000 EBC first division for 3-year-old pacing colts & geldings.

Huntanover (Tyler Buter) led to the quarter in :26.2.  Shakertown (Jason Bartlett) came first-up as they headed for the stands for the first time.  The lead was short lived as The Claw ($9.60) brushed right on by and was first to the half in :54.1.  River Ness (Jordan Stratton) came first-over to challenge heading for the final turn.  The Claw was first to three-quarters in 1:22.1.

As they made the turn for home The Claw just took off and left everyone in the dust and scored easily in 1:51.1.  Huntanover came up to finish second.  Stretch The Line (Marcus Miller) was third.

THE CLAW REPLAY

The Claw is a colt and Jake Leamon trains for owners Ken Klein, Michael Cimaglio, William Salmeri. And Stephen Demeter.  It was his seventh career win.  All this season.

Max Contract (Huntsville, Andy Miller) captures the $122,000 EBC first division for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Lee Loo (Joe Bongiorno) took the early lead but Wickedly Innocent (Matt Kakaley) went to the quarter first in :26.2.  She used a :29.0 second quarter to hit the half first in :55.2.  Max Contract ($2.70) made her move heading to the final turn.  She was first to three-quarters in 1:22.0.

As they reached the stretch it was all Max Contract as she cruised to the mile in 1:50.1.  Wickedly Innocent held on for second.  Gotthegreenlight (Jason Bartlett) got third money.

MAX CONTRACT REPLAY

Max Contract is a filly and is trained by Julie Miller for owners Andy Miller Stable, Steve Heimbecker, and Jean Goehlen.  It was her sixth win in 2022.  She now owns seven career victories.

All About The Hunt (Huntsville, Jordan Stratton) charges late to win $120,700 EBC second division for 3-year-old pacing colts & geldings.

JD (Mark McDonald) was first to the quarter in :25.4.  He used a :28.3 second quarter to hit the half in :54.2.  Early Action (Brian Sears) went first-up from third and went by to lead to three-quarters in 1:21.4.

Bounty Hunter (Tyler Buter) came up next and challenged Early Action for the lead going around the final turn.  As they reached the stretch All About The Hunt ($19.20) came flying three-wide and catapulted to the front to win in 1:50.0.  Bounty Hunter finished second as Early Action had to settle for third.

ALL ABOUT HUNT REPLAY

All About The Hunt is a colt and Ron Burke trains for owners Crawford Farms Racing and Heather Marshall.  Unraced as a 2-year-old.  He is now four for eight in his career.

Valar Dohaeris (Huntsville, Mark MacDonald) uses a late dash to take the $122,000 EBC second division for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Nadina Hanover (Jason Bartlett) led to the quarter in :27.1 and was first to the half in :56.2.  Kele Kele (Matt Kakaley) was first to make a move going first-over down the backstretch.  Nadina Hanover was first to three-quarters in 1:24.0.

As they made the turn for home Nadina Hanover started to open up.  As they reached the stretch Valar Dohaeris ($4.00) looked like she was shot out of a cannon as she flew by just before hitting the wire first in 1:52.2.  Nadina Hanover had to settle for second.  Wine N Dine Me (Brian Sears) finished third.

VALAR DOHAERIS REPLAY

Valar Dohaeris is a filly and is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc. and trained by Ake Svanstedt.  It was her fourth career victory all this season.

Tioga also hosted two divisions of the NYSS for 2-year-old filly trotters.

Midwind Success (Chapter Seven, Jordan Strtton winsthe $55,500 first division.  She is owned by James Crawford IV and trained by Claude Huckabone III.  She paid $23.80 for her first career win.

Pride N Joy (E L Titan, Tyler Buter) takes the $55,500 second division.  She is owned by LA Express, Lenny Zellin, Harbour Racing Stable, and trainer Noel Daley.  She paid $9.20 for her second career victory.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Monday (Aug 29) with a 1 p.m. post time.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs