by James Witherite, Vernon
Downs racing media
Vernon, N.Y. -- A special
Sunday (June 19) night card at Vernon Downs features over $450,000 in purses
for top New York-sired 3-year-old trotters as a pair of Empire Breeders Classic
events share top billing on the 10-race program.
Elimination winners Fad
Finance and Earn Your Wings both look to upend last year's Sire Stakes
superstar Non Stick in the $234,375 Filly Classic, carded as race seven. Fad
Finance (post 5, 3-1 part of entry) stayed in close attendance to a strong
early pace, pouncing on the then-undefeated Non Stick at the eighth pole and
holding off a late charge from Straight A Student in 1:54.1. Trainer Trond
Smedshammer also drives the daughter of Credit Winner. Earn Your Wings (post 6,
2-1 part of entry) likewise pounced late off a tracking trip in her
elimination, sprinting off to a 1:54.4 victory over Swinging Royalty and Open
Access. Jason Bartlett once again drives the Credit Winner filly for trainer
Anette Lorentzon.
In the $222,975 Classic for
colts and geldings, Sir Royson (post 7) has been installed as the 5-2 morning
line favorite. The son of Crazed prevailed in both of his New York Sire Stakes
races so far this season, winning from both on the lead and from off the pace.
Jim Marohn, Jr. drives the five-time winner for trainer Linda Toscano. Among
his eight rivals are Dexter Cup winner Dante (Åke Svanstedt, post 9) and last
year's Sire Stakes runner-up Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Daley, post 3).
Camels and ostriches make
their annual stop at the Miracle Mile on Sunday evening as well for a pair of
non-wagering exhibition events after the second and fifth races. The
camels and ostriches, from Hedrick's Animal Farm in Kansas, will compete in the
early part of the card, as they do at many events nationwide. Post time for the
Father's Day card is slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
