Trotting record tied in Empire Breeders Classic

Kierrkegaard K (Chapter Seven) and trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt equaled the track record for trotters during a great afternoon of harness racing at Vernon Downs featuring four Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) races for 3-year-old trotters on Friday (June 16).

otal purses for the four races was $401,541. All four divisions were won by sons and daughters of Chapter Seven.

Kierkegaard K ($2.80) charged late to capture the $97,022 EBC second division for colts & geldings.

Chapercraz (Joe Bongiorno) and Kierkegaard K battled early out of the gate but Chapercraz took the lead to the quarter in :26.1.  He used a :28.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :54.3.  Tillio’s Action (Jordan Stratton) was first to make a move first-up from third as Chapercraz was first to three-quarters in 1:22.2

As the reached the stretch Tillio’s Action would wrestle the lead away.  Kierkegaard K came three-wide late and was flying in deep stretch to overtake the second-place finisher Tillio’s Action and set a new mark for 3-year-old colts and equaling the overall track record set by Atlanta with a time of 1:50.3.  Chapercraz had to settle for third.

Kierkegaard K is a colt trained by Svanstedt for owner Knuttson Trotting Inc.  It was his second win this season and his third career victory.

KIERKEGAARD K REPLAY

Sadie Hanover (Chapter Seven) and driver Scott Zeron dominated field to win the $104,371 second division for EBC fillies.

Sadie Hanover ($2.70) gunned out of the gate and led to the quarter in :26.1.  She controlled the race using a :29.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.3.  Instagram Model (Jason Bartlett) was first to make a move heading around the final turn but stalled some as Sadie Hanover led to three-quarters in 1:24.1.

As they made the turn for home Sadie Hanover put it in another gear and cruised to her lifetime best of 1:51.3.  Usosweet Hanover (Marcus Miller) came on late to finish second.  Canterbury Hanover (Jeff Gregory) was third.

Sadie Hanover is a filly trained by Linda Toscano for owners Bay Stable, Blue Ridge Stable, Carmen Iannacone, and Gary Coco.  She is now five for five in 2023.  This was her sixth career victory.

SADIE HANOVER REPLAY

Royal Filly (Chapter Seven) and driver Tyler Buter went gate-to-wire in the $104,371 first division of the EBC for sophomore filly trotters.

Royal Filly ($5.70) jumped right out of the gate and surged to the front to lead to the quarter in :27.4.  She slowed things down using a :29.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.4.  She breezed to three-quarters in 1:24.3.

As they reached the stretch Royal Filly played catch me if you can.  Second place finisher Gigi Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) and third place finisher Kayleigh S (Brian Sears) tried to do just that but Royal Filly was too strong and won in 1:52.3.

Royal Filly is a filly owned by Crawford Farms racing and trained by Tony Alagna.  It was her second win this season and of her career.

ROYAL FILLY REPLAY

Kilmister (Chapter Seven) and driver Brian Sears captured the $95,771 first division for EBC colts & gelding.

Cecil Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) was first to the quarter in :27.1.  He used a :29.3 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.4.  He still showed the way to three-quarters in 1:26.0.

As they made the turn for home Kilmister ($4.20) popped the pocket and went after the lead.  Cecil Hanover and Kilmister battled all the way down the stretch.  Kilmister surged to the front and won in 1:52.4.  Cecil Hanover had to settle for second.  Sevecheetah (Joe Bongiorno) finished third.

Kilmister is a colt owned by Courant Inc. and trained by Marcus Melander.  It was his first win in 2023.  He now owns six career victories.

KILMISTER REPLAY

Vernon Downs also welcomed three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts & Geldings.

Thunder Hunter Joe (Tyler Buter) holds off a late charge by American Fling (Jason Bartlett) to win the $39,233 first division in a lifetime best of 1:49.2.  Peppermint Man (Matt Kakaley) finished third.

Thunder Hunter Joe ($3.80) is a gelding by Huntsville.  He is trained by Nicholas Devita for owners David Hamm, Glenn Phillips, Christopher Giaccio, and Devita Racing Stable.  He is three for three in 2023.

Huntingthelastdolar (Scott Zeron) hunts down I was Tricked (Braxten Boyd) with his last strides to win the $39,233 second division in a lifetime best of 1:49.2. Taste Of Honey (Joe Bongiorno) was third.

Huntingthelastdolar ($7.90) is a colt by Huntsville.  He is owned by trainer Gregg McNair, George Kerr, and Bradley Grant.  It was his first win this season and third career victory.

It’s a Me Mario (Brian Sears) wins the $39,233 third division in a lifetime best of 1:49.4.  Pacino Hanover (Matt Kakaley) finished second.  Goldin Greatness (Scott Zeron) was third best.

It’s A Me Mario ($6.80) is a colt by American Ideal.  He is owned by Joshua Graber and trained by Shane Tritton.  He is a perfect five for five in 2023.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 17) with a 10-race card starting at 6:05 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs