Vernon, N.Y. -- Trainer-driver Åke Svanstedt swept Sunday
(June 19) evening's Empire Breeders Classic finals at Vernon Downs, as Non
Stick ($7.50) and Dante ($11.60) both took full advantage of pocket trips en
route to victory.
In the $234,375 Filly Classic, Non Stick avenged defeat in
her elimination, but was anything but conservative in the early stages. The
3-year-old daughter of Lucky Chucky circled three other leavers en route to a
:26.1 first quarter before yielding to Fad Finance (Trond Smedshammer) on the
backstretch. Non Stick never lacked for racing room, drafting behind middle
splits of :54.3 and 1:24.2 before vacating the pocket at head-stretch to avoid
being boxed by the gradually-gaining Swinging Royalty (Brian Sears). Non Stick
vaulted to the lead upon cornering and subsequently parried Swinging Royalty's
stout late bid, prevailing by a head in 1:54. Earn Your Wings (Jason Bartlett)
stalked live cover and rallied belatedly for third.
Svanstedt co-owns Non Stick with Little E, LLC.
The $222,975 Classic for colts and geldings likewise saw the
victor sprint clear, yield, and retake off the far turn, as Svanstedt sent
Dexter Cup winner Dante to the fore from post 9 through a :26.2 initial quarter
before stablemate The Royal Harry (Mark MacDonald) charged up from third to
control the terms with five-eighths of the mile remaining. Dante angled
off the pegs after a :57 middle half to once again take charge from his
stablemate, vaulting clear by three in head-stretch. Just For Today (Bartlett)
mounted good belated gains from the second flight, working into a clear second
but missing Dante's 1:52.3 mile by 1-1/2 lengths. Thats a Bad Boy (Tyler
Freese) likewise emerged from off the pace to claim third.
Courant AB owns Dante, a 3-year-old son of Credit Winner.
A sizable on-track crowd enjoyed camel and ostrich races as
part of the Father's Day festivities at the Miracle Mile.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Thursday (June 23),
with first post scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
