Vernon: Joviality S now a millionaire after Empire Breeders Classic blowout

Joviality S turned in another dazzling performance in Friday afternoon's $187,500 Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Vernon Downs, winning by open lengths in 1:51 and just missing Atlanta's track record by two-fifths of a second despite a strong stretch headwind.

Driver Brian Sears put Joviality S in the pocket behind Valentina Blu (Andy McCarthy) going to the 27 second opening quarter, but Sears brought Joviality S to the outside in the backstretch and took over the top spot coming to the 55 4/5 half. It was all Joviality S from there, as she sailed through three-quarters in 1:23 1/5 while unchallenged and kicked away in a 27 4/5 last quarter, defeating Bare My Soul (Scott Zeron) by 5 3/4 lengths. Valentina Blu wound up third.

"Marcus (trainer Marcus Melander) has done a great job with her. She just seems to be getting better," said Sears. "She's very mature and just does it so easy. She has a lot of class."

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A daughter of Chapter Seven, Joviality S is owned by Courant Inc. and was bred by Courant's AM Bloodstock Inc. Joviality S has 12 wins and two seconds from 15 lifetime starts, she sent her career earnings into seven figures at $1,047,241. She was the 1-9 favorite and paid $2.10 across the board.