Tioga: No Clouds Bluechip best in Empire Breeders Classic for fillies

No Clouds Bluechip made an authoritative blitz into first near three-quarters and drew off from there for an impressive 1:50 1/5 victory in the $239,225 Empire Breeders Classic final for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

Driven by Brett Miller, No Clouds Bluechip was in third for the first half, which was led by Wishy Washy Girl (Jim Morrill Jr.) in fractions of 26 2/5 and 54 1/5. Miller pulled the trigger with his filly as the field raced into the turn past the half, and she would overhaul No Clouds Bluechip before the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters.

From there, No Clouds Bluechip's only competition was the teletimer, as she drew clear with every stride, reporting home at the finish line about five lengths to the good over Wine Snob (John Campbell). Race favorite Penpal (Pat Lachance) tried to mount a rally from mid-pack, but could only manage a third-place finish in the tend.

"Last week I cut the mile out in the elimination, and I went very slow fractions," said Miller. "She very felt strong, but honestly I didn't know how much she could go. Today when I landed third, I was a little concerned, but I'll tell you what, when I moved her first-over she grabbed right ahold and took right off.

"The move that she just made there, and the final time, she could go with the top Grand Circuit fillies, no doubt."

No Clouds Bluechip is a daughter of Roll With Joe trained by John Berger for owners Barbara Berger, Richard Carney, and Farrell Carney. She scored her seventh win from 22 career starts, and she has now put away $355,929. No Clouds Bluechip, sent off at 5-2, paid $7.00 to win.