Tight finish in Empire Breeders Classic

May 25, 2008

It took a photo finish to determine the winner of the $242,275 Empire Breeder�s Classic for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs. The result was that Bullville Powerful and driver Yannick Gingras won by inches over Riggins and driver Ray Schnittker.

The 3-year-old Bettor�s Delight colt used a two hole trip behind Riggins to prep for the battle that would pursue down the stretch.

Bullville Powerful was bred and is owned by Crevani Farms of Bullville, N.Y. It was the third win in seven starts this season for the colt, and with the victory increased his 2008 bankroll to more than $210,000. The mile of 1:51.1 was just one-fifth of a second off the track record for 3-year-old colts, that was set in the 2007 edition of the Empire Breeder�s Classic by Kenneth J.

Riggins and Schnittker had to settle for second, while Cheyenne Barry and driver John Campbell nailed down the show spot.

Madam Countess kept her record unblemished in the $270,625 Empire Breeder�s Classic for 3-year-old filly pacers. David Miller steered the 3-year-old Art Major filly for top trainer Erv Miller, and owners MJG Racing Stables, Inc. and Louis Willinger of New Jersey and Kentucky.

Madam Countess is now a perfect six-for-six this year, with earnings of more than $153,000. The mile of 1:52.1 shattered the filly�s lifetime mark by nearly three seconds.

Woman Rebels and driver Jim Morrill, Jr. hung on for second, while John Campbell and First Draw were third.

Sassy Again scored for Brian Mattison and trainer Paul Kelley in the $27,300 Nichols True Value Trotting Series Final. The mile of 1:58 established a new lifetime mark for the 3-year-old Credit Winner filly, who is owned by the Kelley Racing Stable LLC and William Weaver III.

In the $39,600 McNamara�s Pacing Series Final it was Little Thief who left from post position eight and never looked back, en route to a 1:53.2 victory. Jordan Stratton steered the 3-year-old McArdle gelding for trainer Nat Varty and owners Brian Gordon, Stephen Gordon and the 4 West Group LLC.

It was the fifth win in 10 starts on the year, and with the victory Little Thief increased his season�s bankroll to more than $36,000.

Reigning Dough was sent three-wide around the last turn and trotted away from the field in the $29,400 Tioga Country Club Trotting Series Final. The mile of 1:56.4 established a new lifetime mark for the CR Excalibur colt, who is owned by the En Mar Stable of New York City. Alan Schwartz drove Reigning Dough to his fifth victory in seven starts this year for trainer Raheim Strong.

Mike Simons and Four Starz Horndog used a three-wide backside bull rush through a :27.2 third panel to take the $35,700 M&J Oil and Lube Pacing Series Final. The 3-year-old Four Starzzzz Shark filly won her fourth start of the year in five attempts for the Four Starzzzz Stable of New York. The mile of 1:53 lowered the lifetime mark for Four Starzzzz Horndog, who is conditioned by Michael Latham.

Vernon Downs will host the Empire Breeder�s Classic for the 3-year-old New York-bred trotters on Monday, May 26, Memorial Day, on which racing will start at 1:15 p.m. (EDT). For more information about Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com. (Tioga)

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