Vernon: Svanstedt makes it a double in Empire Breeders Championships

Trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt swept the Empire Breeders Championships for 3-year-olds on Sunday night at Vernon Downs, guiding Non Stick to victory in the $225,000 filly trot, and Dante to the winner's circle in the $222,975 colt trot.

Non Stick, who had been beaten for the first time in her career in her elimination, was on the lead at the 26 1/5 opening quarter, then gave way to Fad Finance (Trond Smedshammer) prior to the 54 3/5 half. Swinging Royalty (Brian Sears) began a first-over advance on the far turn, and Svanstedt pulled back out of the pocket in front of her before the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters.

In the stretch Non Stick regained the lead from Fad Finance, but Swinging Royalty continued to gain to Non Stick's outside. The wire came up in time for Non Stick, though, as she just held on by a head in 1:54. Earn Your Wings (Jason Bartlett) finished third.

Svanstedt also co-owns Non Stick, a daughter of Lucky Chucky, with Little E LLC. This was her ninth win from ten starts, and she has now earned $340,532. Sent off at 2-1, Non Stick returned $7.50 to win.

Once race later the colt trotters went behind the starting gate, and Svanstedt again led early, taking the group to the opening quarter in 26 2/5 with Dante. Svanstedt stablemate The Royal Harry (Mark MacDonald) then went on the attack out of third, and he was the new leader before the 55 second half. Just like in the filly trot, a horse began to advance first-over on the far turn, in this case it was Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Daley), so Svanstedt popped out of the pocket early again, and he was side-by-side with The Royal Harry at the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters.

Dante put away The Royal Harry through the stretch, and he would go on to prevail by two lengths over Just For Today (Jason Bartlett) in 1:52 2/5, with That's A Bad Boy (Tyler Freese) back in third. There was a judges' inquiry after the race to look at possible interference by Dante against Smalltownthrowdown on the final bend, but the result was allowed to stand.

Courant AB owns Dante, a colt by Credit Winner. Dante, who was this year's Dexter Cup champion, has a trio of victories from seven tries, and he has banked $219,085. Dante was 9-2 and paid $11.60.