by
James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Sunday
(August 3) afternoon's second Empire Breeders Classic elimination for New
York-sired three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will shape up to be a clash
of the titans, with classic winners He's Watching and JK Endofanera squaring
off in the tenth race on the card.
He's
Watching, fresh off his 1:46.4 Meadowlands Pace triumph, drew the inside post
in the field of seven, and retains the services of driver Tim Tetrick.
The David Menary-trained son of American Ideal missed the board just once
in his 14-race career (in his Rooney elimination at Yonkers), but has quickly
returned to the form he showed as a two-year-old, where he went undefeated in eight
races over his freshman campaign.
The
race also drew North America Cup winner JK Endofanera, who lines up from post 3
in rein to Brian Sears. Before a first-over bid in the Meadowlands pace
left him fading in the late stages, he rallied well off cover to score a 1:48.4
win in the North America Cup at Mohawk. The Ron Burke-trained son of Art
Major has proven victorious in five of seven races on the season.
The
top four finishers from the Empire Breeders Classic eliminations, in addition
to one fifth-place colt and filly, will advance to next week's finals.
In
addition to Tim Tetrick and Brian Sears; top drivers Yannick Gingras, David
Miller, and Scott Zeron will participate on the Sunday stakes card at Tioga,
competing not only in the Empire Breeders Classic eliminations, but also in the
Tompkins-Geers events carded for two-year-old pacers.
Post
time for the Sunday program at Tioga Downs is 1:30 p.m. EDT, with a pair of
non-wagering Tompkins-Geers events to commence at 1:00 p.m.
