Vernon: Three-year-old filly trotters tangle in Empire Breeders Classic eliminations

A pair of $12,500 Empire Breeders Classic eliminations for sophomore trotting fillies occurred on Friday night at Vernon Downs, and it would be Amal Hall and Quincy Blue Chip taking the victories.

Driven by Jason Bartlett, Amal Hall took the field to the 29 2/5 opening quarter in the first elimination, but she would allow outside challenger Conway Kellyanne (Charlie Norris) to clear heading to the 58 1/5 half. Conway Kellyanne would go on to reach three-quarters in 1:27 2/5, but she couldn't hold off another challenge from Amal Hall in the lane, as she blew by and drew off to win by a length and a half in 1:56 4/5. Conway Kellyanne just held second over Pilgrims Lass (Mike Simons), with Sensibility (Matt Kakaley) fourth and Gobi Princess (Jim Morrill Jr.) fifth despite a break.

Amal Hall is a Credit Winner filly trained by Julie Miller for owners Andy Miller Stable Inc., GTY Stable, and Dumain Haven Farm. This was her fourth career victory, and she has now earned $136,931. The even-money favorite, Amal Hall returned $4.30 to win.

In the other elimination With Out A Doubt (Tyler Buter) sped away from the gate and was the leader at the 28 3/5 first quarter, but Quincy Blue Chip (Morrill Jr.) popped pocket on her in the second quarter and took command passing the 58 second half-mile marker. Quincy Blue Chip picked up the tempo around the far turn, hitting three-quarters in 1:26 2/5 and repelling the first-over bid of Winndevie (Trond Smedshammer), and then a 28 1/5 final kicker got Quincy Blue Chip to the finish line in 1:54 3/5. She finished three-parts of a length to the good over Sweet Chapter (Kakaley), who rallied off a second-over trip, and Winndevie, the New York Sire Stakes champion for this group last year, suffered just her second lifetime loss with a third-place finish. Winndevie would be tracked in by With Out A Doubt and Hanna Dreamgirl (Norris).

Gareth Dowse trains Quincy Blue Chip, a daughter of Chapter Seven, for owner/breeder Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. She has won half of her 12 lifetime attempts, and she has now pocketed $205,348. The slight 9-5 favorite over Winndevie, Quincy Blue Chip paid $5.70 to win.

The Empire Breeders Classic final will be held on a matinee card on Memorial Day (May 27) at Vernon.