Vernon: Iteration, Darlene Hanover tally in Empire Breeders Classics for filly trotters

Race favorites Iteration and Darlene Hanover were victorious in the two $102,500 Empire Breeders Classic divisions for 3-year-old New York-sired filly trotters that took place on Friday night at Vernon Downs.

Driven by Brian Sears, Iteration moved from second to first after the 27 3/5 opening quarter and remained in control through a 56 4/5 half and a 1:25 three-quarters. Iteration stayed in front and clear through the lane, and she would hit the wire a length and a half to the good over Contested Hanover (Scott Zeron) in a 1:53 1/5 mile. Moni For Lindy (Wally Hennessey) was third.

Iteration is a Chapter Seven filly trained by Marcus Melander for owner Courant Inc. Bred by Order By Stable, Iteration was a $250,000 purchase at the 2019 Standardbred Horse Sale and is a full sister to Trotter of the Year Gimpanzee. Iteration has compiled a record of 7-1-2 from 12 career starts, and she has now earned $394,759. Sent off at 2-5, she paid $2.80 to win.

In the other split Sweeping Rainbow (David Miller) made front after the 28 2/5 opening quarter, but Darlene Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) brushed out of third in the backstretch and worked her way past Sweeping Rainbow beyond the 58 2/5 half. After taking the top spot, Darlene Hanover reached three-quarters in 1:27 2/5, then fought off Sweeping Rainbow in the sprint for the wire, scoring by a head in 1:54 3/5. Soukup Blue Chip (Andy Miller) was the third-place finisher.

"I could sense there wasn't a lot of speed," said McCarthy. "I didn't really want to be sitting back there and have to trot home in 26 seconds tonight. I figured it'd just be a better move if I got her up close and controlled the speed of the race.

"Sweeping Rainbow started edging closer and closer. She raced terrific, Sweeping Rainbow. We trotted a pretty good last quarter there, so she definitely gave me a little scare."

Brett Bittle trains Darlene Hanover, a daughter of Chapter Seven bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., for owner Yankeeland Partners LLP. Darlene Hanover, a $130,000 buy at the 2019 Standardbred Horse Sale, is now a five-time winner from ten lifetime tries, and she has banked $305,442. The 6-5 choice, Darlene Hanover returned $4.40 to win.