Southwind Samurai recorded the fastest trotting mile of this 57th season at Vernon Downs while capturing the $234,900 filly flight of the Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-olds in 1:54.4 on Memorial Day afternoon. Strong Hope was a 1:55.2 upset winner in the earlier $235,900 colt/gelding clash.
Pat Berry did the steering for trainer Bjorn Noren as Southwind Samurai went right to the front in the eighth event and churned out fractions of :26.4, :57.3 and 1:26.4 en route to a determined 1-1/4 length victory over the favorite, Impressive Kemp. She paid $9.00 to win.
The career-best performance by Southwind Samurai enabled the bay daughter of Conway Hall-Southwind Seasons to remain undefeated after two current outings. Italy's Scuderia S. Giuliano owns the lifetime winner of $207,104.
With Ron Pierce steering for trainer Noel Daley, Strong Hope rallied from fifth in a :28.3 final quarter to catch and defeat the pacesetting Whata Winner by a head in the colt split. He paid $33.60 for finishing first.
Strong Hope's personal best effort resulted in his first current victory and second in 12 lifetime starts. The bay son of CR Excalibur-Spring Lane has now returned $187,599 to his breeder and owner, Winbak Farms.
Munis Blue Chip rallied from fourth at the half to earn a career best 1:57.1 score in Monday's $12,500 filly consolation race for trainer-driver Ray Schnittker, who owns the bay daughter of Credit Winner-Hustle N Muscle along with Steve Arnold, Jerry Silva and Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc.
The Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, the New York Stallion Owners, Tioga and Vernon Downs sponsor the Empire Breeders Classic. (Vernon Downs)
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