Vernon: Empire Breeders Classic stakes on tap Friday

Vernon Downs will once again play host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both 3-year-old trotting colts & geldings as well as 3-year-old trotting fillies on Friday (June 18).

The $205,000 EBC for colts & gelding will feature the much-anticipated re-match between Ahundreddollarbill (Andrew McCarthy) and Incommunicado (Yannick Gingras). The two last faced off against each other in a leg of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) held at Vernon Downs two weeks ago. They battled all the way down the long homestretch at the "Miracle Mile" with Ahundreddollarbill holding off the late charge of Incommunicado to win in an eye popping 1:52 2/5.

Tony Alagna trains Ahundreddollarbill, a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven. He is a perfect two-for-two in 2021 and four-for-eight in his career. Incommunicado is a 3-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven trained by Ake Svanstedt. He is two-for-three this season including a win in the Dexter Cup at Freehold. The gelding has six wins and has amassed almost $300,000 in his career.

The other top contender in the race is Ambassador Hanover. The colt by Chapter Seven is trained and driven by Svanstedt. He also won a leg of the NYSS held at Vernon two weeks ago, is one-for-two this year and five-for-eight in his career.

The EBC for fillies is broken into two divisions. In the $102,500 first Division, Iteration (Brian Sears) looks to be the one to beat. The filly by Chapter Seven is a full Sister to the great Gimpanzee. Trained by Marcus Melander, she came charging late to snag a NYSS win at Vernon two weeks ago. She won her only start in 2021 and has six wins overall.

Her toughest rival looks to be Moni For Lindy (Wally Hennessey). The filly by credit Winner is trained by Domenico Cecere. She was an upset winner in her leg of the NYSS at Vernon. She has one win in 2021 and three victories in her career.

Darlene Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) is the morning line favorite in the $102,500 second division. She came charging late but fell short to Moni For Lindy in her only start this season in the NYSS at Vernon. Trained by Brett Bittle, she is a filly by Chapter Seven that has four lifetime wins and has amassed over $250,000 in total earnings.

Her toughest competitor is Sweeping Rainbow (David Miller), who narrowly lost to Iteration her last time out in the NYSS at Vernon. The Chapter Seven filly, who is trained by Joe Holloway, has two career wins.

The 11-race card starts at 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

-edited release (Vernon)