Tioga: Hickfromfrenchlick, Zero Tolerance dominate in EBC finals

Two rich Empire Breeders Classic finals for New York-sired 3-year-old pacers took place on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs, and Hickfromfrenchlick (colts and geldings) and Zero Tolerance (fillies) both turned in impressive victories.

The boys went for a purse of $238,200, and Hickfromfrenchlick (Matt Kakaley), who won his elimination last week and drew the rail, zipped right to the front with the other elimination winner, Artie's Ideal (Marcus Miller) settling in the pocket from post two to the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Shake That House (Brian Sears), who was the favorite despite finishing second to Hickfromfrenchlick a week ago, dropped into the three-hole in front of Major March.

Hickfromfrenchlick maintained his grip on the proceedings to the 55 second half-mile mark, but Shake That House was out and rolling first-over at that point. Hickfromfrenchlick was able to keep the public choice's bid at bay to the 1:21 1/5 three-quarters and around the far turn, though.

Spinning off the final bend Shake That House had had enough and threw in the towel, and Hickfromfrenchlick put it into a gear the others couldn't match as well as he sprinted clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:48 4/5. Artie's Ideal was second, followed by Covered Bridge (Wally Hennessey), Chatelroll (David Miller), and World On Edge (Yannick Gingras).

"He was strong. He felt really good, and I liked my chances for sure," remarked Kakaley. "He put away Shake That House; I wasn't sure how much go Marcus had left behind me, but when I called on him he just took off, so it didn't really matter."

Trainer Ray Schnittker also co-owns Hickfromfrenchlick, a colt by So Surreal named after NBA legend Larry Bird, with partners Nolamaura Racing LLC. and Thomas Spatorico. This was his tenth career win, and he has now earned $378,816. He was sent off at 3-1 and returned $8.10 to win.

The fillies went straight to their $232,700 final without needing eliminations, and Zero Tolerance (David Miller), the 1-5 favorite, cruised to a 1:50 2/5 triumph.

Miller had no intention of taking a seat after the start with the chalk, driving right to the front and clicking off an opening quarter in 27 3/5 and a half in 55 3/5. St Somewhere (Gingras) tried it first-over from fourth at the half, but Zero Tolerance stayed in control to the 1:22 4/5 three-quarters and then kicked away stoutly in the lane on her way to a 4 1/4 length victory. Fool Me Again (Tim Tetrick) came on from second-over to finish in the runner-up spot, and St Somewhere wound up third. JK American Beauty (Jordan Stratton) got fourth, and DD Delicious (Kakaley) crossed the finish line in fifth.

"I felt pretty good, especially with the way the race played out. She was in a great spot and just had to sprint for home," said winning trainer Joe Holloway, who added that Zero Tolerance will stay in against New York Sire Stakes foes for her next start at Batavia Downs.

Zero Tolerance is a Heston Blue Chip filly trained by Holloway for owners Val D'Or Farms and Ted Gewertz. Zero Tolerance made her 12th appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now put away $844,640. She paid $2.40 to win.